§ Mr. BARNESasked the Under-secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, as the Office of Works has discharged about 200 painters during the past few months, any consideration is being given to the advisability of finding these men useful employment?
§ Captain HACKINGThe discharges which have taken place are due to the fact that the painting programme for which provision was made in the Estimates for the current year is gradually reaching completion. Owing to the urgent necessity of limiting public expenditure, it is not practicable to initiate a supplementary programme for the purpose of providing employment for the men recently discharged.