HC Deb 26 February 1970 vol 796 cc1376-7
13. Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is her estimate of the number of women in work who receive less than equal pay with men in similar work.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (Mr. Harold Walker)

No estimate has been made in these terms. As my right hon. Friend said in the Second Reading debate on the Equal Pay Bill, some 3 million women are probably engaged on the same or broadly similar work as men or likely to benefit through the adjustment of collective agreements. Altogether some 6 million women will probably directly benefit from the legislation.

Mr. Mitchell

Could my hon. Friend tell me how many approximately are at the moment employed in the public service?

Mr. Walker

Not without notice.