§ 54 and 55. Mr. ANDERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the latest returns as to the number of women registering for special war service; the number who have already been placed in employment from the special war register; and to what trades they have been attached; and (2) whether, as a result of a special war register, some six or eight thousand women have been encouraged to signify their willingness to undertake armament work; whether he can name armament factories in which there is a shortage of or demand for such labour; and if he will state the duration of the working shift in such cases and the rate of wages offered?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe total number of women registered for special war service up to the week ended 16th April was, approximately, 47,000, of whom 8,089 had entered their names as willing to undertake armament work. I am circulating with the Votes a statement showing the numbers already placed in employment and the trades in which they have been placed. The total number, so far, is only 440, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the work of placing is only just beginning. As he is aware, the special register has been formed in advance so 564 that in the event of the ordinary supply being insufficient to meet the national requirements a reserve may be available without delay. In the department of armament labour I understand that, while the immediate demand for women is not in excess of the numbers that can be supplied in the ordinary way, some of the principal factories have informed the Board of Trade that during the next few months they will require additional numbers of women, amounting for these firms alone to over 13,000. I understand that the wages and conditions vary according to the character of the work, the experience of the woman, and other factors.—[See Written Answers this date.]