§ Mr. DUNCANasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether he has received a resolution from the men discharged from Waltham Abbey powder works and Enfield Lock asking for employment or maintenance; whether he is aware that a very large number of these men have spent all their working lives in Government employment in these factories, that for this reason they are unfitted for other avocations, and that, owing to their inability to obtain employment, they are being forced to apply to the Poor Law guardians for Poor Law relief; and, whether he is in a position to render help of any kind to these men in their distress?
§ Mr. GWYNNEA resolution on this subject has recently been received from a local branch of a trade union. I much regret the necessity for the discharges that have taken place at these and other factories, but it is not possible to continue in employment men for whom no work is available. As regards men of long service, every possible preference1640W has been given to them, and I am informed that a considerable number of those whom it has been necessary to discharge have received gratuities under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act 1887. I am not aware that the particular nature of their work under Government militates against their obtaining other employment. As regards the last part of the question, I fear that the War Office have no funds at their disposal from which any assistance towards maintenance could be given.