§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, how many men were employed in the engineering division of the Office of Works on 1st December, 1921; how many of these were seasonal men, and how many have been discharged or have received notice since that date, including seasonal men; whether these discharges, apart from those of seasonal men, are due to the Government's policy of economy; and whether, in view of the present unemployment, it will be possible to put in hand necessary work on public buildings, such as electrical work and engineering generally?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe number of men employed in December, 1921, was 1,248, of whom 72 were seasonal men; the number discharged or under notice since that date is 248, including the 72 seasonal men. This discharge of non-seasonal staff is due to the Treasury reduction of expenditure, and for this reason it is not practicable to adopt the suggestion in the last part of the question.