§ Sir K. WOODasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the arbitration court appointed to consider the claims of semi-skilled and unskilled 2769W Arsenal workers for increased wages has issued its award; if so, can he state its terms; and what action the Government proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. LAWSONAn award on this case has now been made, under date 29th July. It provides that from February last the men covered by the reference shall have restored to them, in respect of the last two reductions of 5s. 6d. each in the engineering war advances, two sums of 2s. 6d. a week each,i.e., 5s. a week in all, less the amount received by way of the special advances already granted by the Department from February last. The necessary steps are being taken to give effect to the award at early as possible.
§ Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary of State for War how many discharges have taken place at Woolwich Arsenal since the 1st February last; and how many men over 55 years of age have been dismissed?
§ Mr. WALSHThe number of discharges from all grades at Woolwich Arsenal which have taken place during the period in question is 645; this total includes 75 men over 55 years of age.