HC Deb 19 May 1924 vol 173 cc1834-5
70. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether steps are still being taken to reduce the establishment at the Army Ordnance Department, Woolwich; whether further discharges are about to take place; and what, action he is taking to secure employment for the men who may be discharged?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Lawson)

I regret that further discharges are still necessarily taking place. As to the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given him by my right hon. Friend on the 6th instant.

Sir K. WOOD

Inasmuch as the Secretary of State for War has already dismissed some hundreds of men at the Arsenal since he took office, cannot, the hon. Gentleman give some undertaking to provide employment for them?

Mr. BECKER

Could the hon. Gentleman find employment for these men in the motor ear industry?

Mr. LAWSON

Of course, these men are never dismissed without very serious consideration being given to the matter, and none are ever dismissed without very great regret on the part of the Department, but if there is no work for them to do, we cannot keep them in employment, and if we did, I am sure the hon. Gentleman would be our keenest critic.

Sir K. WOOD

But regret will not keep these men. What is the hon. Gentleman going to do about it?