§ Mr. W. J. BROWNasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will withdrawn the notice which has been given to the semi-skilled and unskilled workers at Woolwich Arsenal to the effect that their rates of pay when on piecework will shortly be subject to the new engineering agreement, to which the men in question have not been parties, until such time as an opportunity has been afforded for discussions to take place between the Department and the men's organisation, namely, the Government Minor Grades Association?
§ Mr. SANDERSNo formal notice to the men of the changes proposed by the Department has yet been posted. In accordance with the usual practice, the nature of such changes has, however, formed the subject of local discussion with the men's representatives, and a further meeting with trade unions concerned is in course of arrangement. I am not aware that the association named by the hon. Member can properly claim to be representative of the class of workers in question.