discharged labour

Imperial Government in London.

Hansard {HC Deb 26 March 1903 vol 120 c300 300

 MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)     I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state how many men have been discharged from or are under notice to leave Woolwich Arsenal since peace was proclaimed; and whether the men discharged or under notice are, in all cases, the extra men employed owing to the pressure of work during the war: and will he consider the possibility by a rearrangement of the orders for material and work of stopping the discharges.

 MR. BRODRICK        One thousand three hundred and seventy-five have already gone on reduction since May 31 last, and about 1,000 are under notice to go. The men selected for discharge were those whom it was least desirable to retain, or whose work had actually died away. No practicable rearrangement of orders would stop discharges, as there is a general shrinkage of orders both for the trade and the ordnance factories. The heavy discharges now impending are due to the decision not to discharge men during the winter.

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Hansard {HC Deb 16 November 1920 vol 134 cc1677-8 1677

Mr. CROOKS  asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office if he can give any information regarding the 1678 position of employment and proposed discharges at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, and what progress has been made in providing alternative work?

Mr. MILLS  asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the growing apprehension of the workpeople and the general community in Woolwich as a result of the continuous discharges; and whether any forms of alternative work are contemplated that would open the machine shops already closed?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON  The War Office is aware of the apprehensions referred to. There are still about 19,200 persons employed in all departments at Woolwich Arsenal as compared with 13,700 before the War, while the ample amount of military equipment in store reduces the amount of production required. The position is difficult, but while further discharges are unavoidable, every effort is being made to minimise them during the coming winter by obtaining alternative civilian work. This has relieved the situation in the ordnance factory department, and it is hoped that the number of men it will be necessary to discharge from that department during the winter will be small. This is irrespective of discharges arising from substitutions, so far as it may be possible, of ex-soldiers now employed in other departments for men engaged during the War. There is a considerable surplus of such ex-soldiers in the inspection and other departments

Mr. W. THORNE   Have the Government now made up their minds definitely that they will insist upon the discharge of men over 60 years of age?

 

Sir A. WILLIAMSON   It never was the case that there was a decision to discharge the men over 60 years of age. There were certain men over 60 years of age who were less efficient whom it was necessary to discharge. The Government have to regard the interests of the different classes of men and also to maintain the efficiency of the Arsenal.

 http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/

Mr John Mills(1882 - 1951) the MP for Dartford

Mr William Thorne(1857 - 1946) the MP for West Ham