§ 11. Mr. SNELLasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, before deciding to place on short time the men employed at the ordnance factories, he will consider possible alternatives to this course and will receive representations from the local authorities and the men affected?
§ 7. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been decided to introduce short time into the ordnance factories; if so, how many men will be adversely affected; and what will be the average reduction of wage as the result?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Shinwell)The work available for the ordnance factories at Woolwich, as at present forecasted in respect of the coming financial year, is not sufficient to employ, under the normal factory conditions, the existing number of employés on full time. It has been accordingly proposed to introduce short time on the basis of a five-day week of eight hours a day. By this means it was hoped to distribute the work to the fullest possible extent among existing staff and 1079 avoid the necessity for discharges. I need hardly say that all the practicable courses were carefully and anxiously considered before this conclusion was reached. I am already in touch with representatives of the men, and I am hoping to discuss the problem with them again on Thursday next. I shall be glad to consider carefully any other solution they may suggest. I shall also be happy to receive representatives of the borough authorities should they desire me to do so. It will be seen from what I have stated that the matter has not yet been finally disposed of, and I am, therefore, unable to give the additional information for which the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) asked.
§ Sir KINGSLEY WOODDo not the Government proposals mean, so far as Woolwich is concerned, a reduction of some 10 to 15 per cent. in the earnings of the men; and is not the number of men affected some 7,000? Is that correct?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIt depends upon what the right hon. Gentleman means by Government proposals. Certain suggestions have been made, and these are to be discussed with the representatives of the men on Thursday.
§ Sir K. WOODWill it mean the reduction in earnings that I have indicated?
§ Mr. SHINWELLThat is pure assumption.
§ Sir K. WOODI am asking if it is correct or not.
§ Mr. SHINWELLI cannot state whether the assumption is correct.
§ Sir K. WOODHave the Government any other alternative proposal besides this one?
§ Mr. SHINWELLWhen we meet the men and hear what they have to say, possibly alternative proposals may be suggested on either side.
§ Sir LAMING WORTHINGTON-EVANSHas the hon. Gentleman got all the orders that he can from the Air Ministry and the Admiralty? It may be difficult in the case of the Admiralty, but the Air Ministry is increasing its expenditure, and cannot some of it be placed at Woolwich?
§ Mr. SHINWELLWe are doing everything that is possible to secure all the orders that we can from the Departments mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, and we shall continue to do so.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn the event of these men being displaced, will any compensation be paid to them?
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEIs it not the fact that under the Government programme this Arsenal will be gradually discarded and done away with altogether, and will work be found for these men?