§ Major COLFOXasked the Secretary of State for War how many women are at present employed at the Holton Heath cordite factory; what duties these women perform and at what wage; and whether he will consider replacing these women by ex-service men, of whom so many are unemployed?
§ Mr. AMMONI have been asked to reply. 125 women are at present employed at Holton Heath on the manufacturing side. They are employed as glass blowers, machinists, cooks, cleaners and also on work in the manufacturing sections. The rates of pay vary from 31s. per week to cleaners to 44s. 6d. to glass blowers. The majority are, however, in receipt of 33s. to 35s. per week inclusive. The duties performed by these women are those usually performed by women in explosive factories. The question of replacement of women by ex-service men at Holton Heath has been carefully considered, and this has been carried out to a very considerable extent. The numbers remaining are those which it is considered desirable to retain.