§ 7. Mr. SNELLasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any reduction of the industrial personnel of the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich is contemplated in the near future; and whether he will receive a deputation representing the workers before any decision is made?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Shinwell)As regards the remainder of the current financial year the work available will, as far as I can at present foresee, be sufficient to employ approximately the same number of workers as at present. As to next financial year, this is a question of policy intimately connected with Army Estimates and I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's introduction of those Estimates. But my hon. Friend may rest assured that the whole question is receiving the close personal attention both of my right hon. Friend and of myself.
§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODWill the hon. Gentleman, before he comes to any conclusion on the matter, carefully study the scheme put forward by the Prime Minister when he was a candidate for East Woolwich, and his suggestion that the Arsenal should be made a peace factory?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI am ready to study anything that is put before me.
§ Mr. SHINWELLI think it may be possible to arrange to receive a deputation.