§ Major NEWMANasked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that a married man named Goldsmith, with two children, employed at the Royal Small Arms Factory for two years, was last week debadged for military service, while a. single man under twenty-five years of age working alongside of him and of less experience was to be continued at munition work; and will he state the reason for the course adopted?
Mr. PRIMROSEIn reply to my hon. Friend, I have caused inquiries to be made, and have ascertained that the man Goldsmith, who has been employed in the 445W Royal Small Arms Factory since 5th July, 1915, received notice from the military authorities some days ago to report for military service. As he was not indispensable to the factory, he was informed that he should present himself for medical examination, and if the military authorities decided to accept him he would be released for military duty. With regard to the reference made to a single man working with him, there are two men to whom this part of the question might apply, and these men would have been released if they had had notice to report for military service. But it must be understood that neither at this factory nor elsewhere can the release of men be effected to an extent affecting output without the provision of substitutes.