HC Deb 12 February 1920 vol 125 cc258-9W
Mr. SHORT

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the order of discharge from Woolwich Arsenal of labour surplus to requirements has yet been determined; whether the workers have been classified under a number of headings; what are those headings; in what order the classes are to be discharged; and how many men it is intended to discharge?

Mr. A. DAVIES (Clitheroe)

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, in discharging men from Woolwich Arsenal, ex-Service men are to be given preferential treatment over men who entered the Arsenal during the War without having served in the forces?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The answer to the first two parts of the Question put by the hon. Member for Wednesbury is: Yes, Sir. It has been decided that the order of discharge shall be as follows:—

  1. 1. Non-service post-War employés.
  2. 2. Non-service employés engaged during the War.
  3. 3. Ex-service men of the Great War.
  4. 4. Disabled men.
  5. 5. Pre-War employés.

I am not in a position to state definitely the number of employés that it may ultimately be found necessary to discharge.