§ 15. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the number of discharges that are taking place from the Government undertakings; that 40 men were is charged from Dagenham Dock last week, and that 30 men are under notice to leave this week; if he can state the number that have been discharged from the Woolwich Arsenal since the beginning of September up to Saturday, 4th December; and how many ex-service men have been discharged during that period?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI am aware that discharges are taking place from Government undertakings. Dagenham Dock is not under the War Office, but is a Ministry of Munitions depot. The number of men discharged from Woolwich Arsenal from 1st September to 4th December last is 912. No ex-service men have been discharged during this period except for misconduct or in cases where, on becoming redundant in their own departments, they have declined offers of employment in other departments.
§ Mr. THORNESeeing that so many thousands of men are unemployed in different parts of the country, are the Government doing their level best to make provision for finding men employment, instead of putting them on the stones?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONYes, Sir, a great deal has been done in Woolwich in finding alternative work. If it were not for that I am afraid that the number of discharges would have had to be very much larger. A great deal is being done, and every effort is being made.