§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether, during the last fifteen weeks, the men employed at the Royal Gun Factory forges have worked for eight weeks three days per week, for six weeks full time, and that for one week one-half of the men worked under ten hours for the said week; and whether, in view of the activity at present prevailing in armament firms, he can hold out hopes of steadier employment at the Royal Gun Factory forges?
§ Colonel SEELYWork has been restricted owing to delay in deliveries of material due to the dock strike.
§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any complaint with regard to the lighting-up time of furnaces at the Royal Arsenal having been altered from 12 p.m. to 3 a.m., and in addition that the lighting of two furnaces instead of one only has been assigned to each man; whether, as a result, the gangs are unable to start work until 3195W mid-day and cannot, in consequence, earn an adequate wage; whether, as a result of such delay in starting work, the lighter-up, as a member of the gang, is placed at a disadvantage in the earning of his salary, and should a breakdown occur and the whole gang be forced to suspend work for the rest of the week, whether the lighter-up would fail to receive the pay for the hours he worked lighting-up; and whether he will have adequate inquiry made into these alleged grievances?
§ Colonel SEELYNo complaint, as stated, has been received, but inquiries will be made.