HC Deb 02 August 1907 vol 179 c1381
MR. O'GRADY (Leeds, E.)

To ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there are any females employed in the Government dockyards at the work of French polishing; if so, how many, and what are the wages, hours, and conditions of employment; whether female has displaced male labour at this work; and, if so, for what reason.

(Answered by Mr. Edmund Robertson.) The experiment of employing women on this work was introduced at Devonport dockyard in the year 1904. Four women are employed at wages varying from 16s. to 17s. a week. I am informed that the experiment was made in imitation of the practice in the private trade.