asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are em- ployed in the production of ordnance, armoured fighting vehicles and small arms; and what proportion is employed in Royal Ordnance Factories.

About 29,000 persons are classified as employed in the manufacture of ordnance, tanks and small arms; of these rather over one half are employed in Royal Ordnance Factories. Separate employment figures are not available for the manufacture of armoured fighting vehicles other than tanks.

Does not the fact that nearly half the employment on conventional arms is in private industry make a mockery of the Government's assurance that the Royal Ordnance Factories should be a preferred source for the production of conventional arms?

I must point out that in the standard industrial classification the people I have mentioned include not only those who are making military weapons but those making such things as sporting guns and air rifles. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the amount of work is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

In order to maintain the numbers already employed in Royal Ordnance Factories, will the Minister ensure that factories such as the one at Patricroft will be allowed to tender in open competition with private firms?

I shall see that the hon. Gentleman's remarks are brought to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

14. Mr. May hew asked:

the Minister of Labour what provision he is making for the re-employment of disabled persons made redundant by the closure of the Royal Ordnance Factory, Woolwich.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War is arranging for alternative jobs to be offered to all redundant established employees who wish to continue in the Government service. Those disabled persons who do not wish to accept such employment, and those who are not established, will be eligible for all the benefits of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Acts, and our disablement resettlement officers will do all they can to find them other suitable employment.

The R.O.F. at Woolwich has a particularly good record in this respect. Can the Minister say precisely what are the numbers of disabled and impaired workers at the factory?

At present, about 152 are registered disabled persons.