MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether male shorthand writers and typists are denied by the Treasury privileges as to position and pension in the Civil Service which are accorded to women; and, if so, will the sexes be placed on an equality in those respects.
§ MR. HANBURYA very few male shorthand writers, but, I believe, no male typists, appear on the establishments of the various Public Departments. The shorthand writers are each paid according to the nature of the work they perform, but there is in the Civil Service no distinct class of men shorthand writers or typists. Such duties, when not performed by women, are generally provided for by the employment of boy copyists or personal clerks, and in such a case no question of pension can arise. The Question only appeared on the Paper this morning, and I have not had time to ask the various Departments what is the number of adult male shorthand writers or typists employed, but I think I can assure the hon. Member that in no case is their remuneration inferior to that of women employed on similar work.