Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in order to obviate the discharging of men 60 years of age from the factory at Enfield the general body of the workmen are prepared to accept an extension of the time they are off work during August and thus let the fixed minimum number of employés be reached by the ordinary wastage and the discharging of lads on attaining the age of 21; and whether he will accept this suggestion of the workmen and cease to discharge men at 60 years of age, who, having spent their life in the making of rifles, are quite unable to perform other employment at that age?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe proposal has been brought to my notice, but I fear it cannot be adopted. It must be remembered that, even while the men were off work, the standing charges would still continue. Moreover, it is doubtful if the suggestion would have the desired result, since, even allowing for the extension of the time for closing, the work to be done during the year would probably be completed without 1155W obviating the discharges in question. The discharges of men at 60 is made in accordance with the rules, and cannot, in the present circumstances, be stopped, but as much notice as possible will be given to men discharged under the age rule.