§ Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary of State for War whether additional alternative work is still being provided for Woolwich Arsenal; and whether the condition that only work could be given which does not compete with private enterprise could be varied, so that the Arsenal would be enabled to execute work which could not be completed by private contract within a requisite period?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLSince the War Office re-assumed responsibility for the Royal Ordnance Factories on 1st June, steps have been taken with the object of securing additional alternative work for both Woolwich and Enfield. The Government has decided that Woolwich should be placed in a position to act as sub-contractors to engineering firms, provided no financial loss is incurred thereby. In reaching this decision the Government was influenced by two considerations, namely, first, the present housing situation renders it desirable that the work should be taken to the workmen rather than that large numbers of workmen should be discharged from Woolwich and Enfield factories and left to find work where no housing accommodation exists; and, secondly, that it is not to the interests of the country, when the world's 2195W demand exceeds the supply, that productive capacity, such as that at Woolwich and Enfield, should be left dormant, or occupied with munitions not now required. The effect of this decision will be to reduce and postpone, rather than to obviate entirely, the necessity for further discharges from Woolwich during the next few months, as there are certain classes of workers employed in the now productive departments in excess of normal establishments who cannot be employed on alternative work. The policy now being followed is a temporary one, but I should be glad if Members of the House would assist the War Office in obtaining suitable orders for Woolwich and Enfield.