§ Mr. BETTERTONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that over 200 men have already been dismissed 899W from the Chilwell Ordnance Depot in consequence of the decision to close it down; what steps have been taken by the War Office to ensure that these men obtain other employment; and what proportion of them are now unemployed?
§ Mr. WALSHI am aware of the discharges to which the hon. Member refers. Since I last dealt with this question, I have had the position again closely examined, especially in the light of the simultaneous closing of the large Ordnance Depot at Woolwich Dockyard. I fear that, owing to the considerable decrease in the total staff now required for Army ordnance services generally, there will be little or no opportunity of finding alternative employment under the Department for the men discharged from Chilwell Depot. As regards the last part of the question, I regret that I have no complete information.