asked the Secretary of State for War whether Regulation 80 of the Rules and Regulations of the Ordnance Factories precludes a workman from making an application as to wages through a trade union or a Member of Parliament?

Rule 80 of the Rules and Regulations of the Ordnance Factories, a copy of which I am sending my hon. Friend, makes no specific mention of trade unions or Members of Parliament, but prescribes the normal recognised procedure for the representation of grievances, through the employé's immediate superiors.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that grievances have been dealt with by them on application through trade unions and by Members of Parliament in certain cases, and that a certain Captain F. J. Clarke was called up before Major Hunter and reprimanded for having made an application through a Member of Parliament?

The latter part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question is, I am informed, inaccurate. As regards the former part, certainly the rule is not observed, and nobody is endeavouring to enforce it. Complaints do come from Members of Parliament and also from trade union representatives.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment upon the first convenient opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to abolish the Ordnance Factory Rule under which at Parliamentary Elections workmen are given a half-day's leave with pay to enable them to record their votes; if so, will he state the reason why; and whether, in view of the fact that the Rule has been in force for many years and taken into account in the establishment of present conditions, he will have the matter reconsidered?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There is no longer any justification for the continuance of the Rule in view of the improvement in voting facilities since it was made. The matter has already be-en fully considered, and I regret that I am not prepared to reverse the decision arrived at.

May I ask whether this is a condition of employment that, is made known to those centering the services of the War Office when they enter the ordnance factories?

It is a privilege which has been allowed to the men employed for a good many years. OrigiNally it was intended so that they might exercise their right to vote, but, now that the voting hours are from 12 to 14 hours, it does not seem to be reasonable any longer to allow a half day for the purpose of voting. I may point out that a. half day for this purpose costs the taxpayers £6,000.

Is it not a fact that this half day is used by the officials of the War Department when answering questions regarding the pay of the unemploy6s of ordnance factories?

I should not think so, bat I do not know.