§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he is aware that at the National Projectile Factory, Lancaster, there are about 120 men employed on wagon repairing, 75 per cent. of whom are ex-Service men; that there are seven men classed at ridge fixers, five of whom are on staff salaries, and also four staff foremen with four charge hands; that there are two staff men to every five workmen; and if he will take action in the matter?
Mr. HOPEThe hon. and gallant Member has been misinformed. At the Lancaster Projectile Factory there are at present 204 men and 8 boys employed on the repair of railway wagons. Of this number 89 are skilled men, 20 of whom are ex-Service men; the remaining 123 are unskilled of whom 90 are ex-Service men. The factory employs 678 men and there are 5 rate fixers engaged on the general work of fixing rates for the whole factory. 271W One of these rate fixers, for a part of his time only, is engaged on fixing rates in respect of wagon repairs. There are three foremen engaged on wagon repair work, but no charge hands. It is not the fact that there are two staff men to every five workmen.