§ 38. Mr. WATTasked the hon. Member for Lincoln, as representing the Insurance Commissioners, whether the heads of the National Health Insurance Department are openly discouraging enlistment in that Department and are refusing permission to many there who have expressed the wish to enlist; and whether he has considered how far the work of that office is suited for women substitutes in view of the fact that it is nearly all routine work?
§ The COMPTROLLER of the HOUSEHOLD (Mr. C. Roberts)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. On the contrary, during the last three weeks permission to enlist has been given to sixty-one additional men, bringing the total figure up to 529 out of 1,220 men of military age. In addition, forty-one men have been lent to other Departments for special war service. The 1928 policy of engaging women as substitutes, where practicable, has been consistently adopted for many months past. In addition to the normal work of the Department, which is by no means accurately described in the question, the staff and organisation of the Commissions are being used in the performance of certain special duties arising out of the War, and not directly connected with the work of national insurance.