51. Sir H. DALZIELasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that while men employed in the window blind department of the Board of Works who are forty years of age are being combed out for military service there are men in the same department under thirty years of age who are being retained as indispensables, although for nearly a year women did the same or similar work as that on which they are employed; and will he say what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. BECK (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household)The staff of the window blind department of the Office of Works at present consists of twenty-two men. Thirteen are over military age, three have already served and have been invalided, and one has been rejected for all classes. Of the five remaining, two are over thirty and three that age or under. They have been exempted for short periods, but will all be released in due course. The heavy and dangerous nature of the work and the high pressure which has been necessitated owing to the stringent lighting regulations and the number of temporary buildings to be provided for render it undesirable to substitute female labour. Women are, of course, employed on the lighter work for which they are fitted.