HC Deb 01 July 1915 vol 72 cc1919-20
14. Mr. HOGGE

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of women who have registered at the Labour Bureaux under the special registration scheme; how many of them have already been used and in which trades; how many are being trained for various kinds of work, and which; and how many are being maintained while in training for such work?

Mr. PRETYMAN

The total number of women who have placed their names on the War Service Register up to the 18th June was 87,241. Of these, 2,332 have been placed in employment, the number being distributed principally amongst the following trades: Armament works, textile trades, dress, agriculture, chemical workers, etc., food preparation, leather workers, domestic and laundry, conveyance of men and goods, clerical, shop assistants, and waitresses. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the explanation given in the reply to the hon. Member for North Salford on 10th June. The total number of women from the War Service Register who are being, or have been, specially trained is 342. The schemes at present in operation give training in agricultural work, the grocery trade, and motor driving. About half of the number taken from the War Service Register are being maintained during the period of training. The above figures do not include women who are being trained by their employers, or those who have arranged privately for training.

Mr. HOGGE

Will the hon. Member say what is the use of getting further names of women between fifteen and sixty-five if, out of 87,000 women who have offered, the Government has only utilised the services of 2,000?

Mr. PRETYMAN

My hon. Friend must remember, from the answer previously given, that the 2,000 does not include those who have been on the ordinary register as well as on the war register. We do not know how many have been thus employed.

Mr. HOGGE

Is not that fact quite easily ascertained from the officials of the Labour Bureaux?

Sir W. BYLES

Will there not be some disappointment among these women when they know that only one in twenty has been taken?

Mr. PRETYMAN

Every effort will be made to make use of their services.