§ 13. Brigadier-General NATIONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the recommendations of the May Committee in regard to the review of the ordnance factory at Woolwich have been or are to be carried out; and what the saving will amount to per annum?
§ Mr. WOMERSLEYThe May Committee recommended that the authorised minimum establishment at Woolwich should be reviewed, but this step has not so far proved to be necessary, since customers' actual peace-time needs for goods produced by the factories have provided this year orders sufficient to employ the existing authorised minimum. The question falls to be reconsidered in con- 220 nection with next year's Estimates. The actual strength at Woolwich has however been for long in process of reduction towards the authorised minimum. This process still continues, and my hon. and gallant Friend will see from the Royal Ordnance Factories Estimate that the provision made for wages is £184,300 less this year than last. This figure includes £67,000 on account of the abolition, in accordance with the May Committee's recommendation, of certain preferential rates of wage previously enjoyed by Government establishments.