§ 88. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the old understanding that preference with regard to the employment of women in the Royal yards was to be given, to widows and orphans of men who have given their lives for their country in the naval service or have been employed for many years previous to their death in the Royal dockyards still holds good; and, if so, will he cause this intimation to be posted up in the local Employment Exchanges and given as much publicity as possible?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)The Order to which my hon. Friend refers is still in force to-day. So far as the employing authorities are concerned, namely, the yard officials, they, are fully alive to its existence. If my hon. Friend desires that persons interested and de siring to secure employment should have their attention called to it, I see no objection to that, and will pass on to the Ministry of Labour the suggestion that the notice should be posted at the Employment Exchanges.
§ 89. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the number of women employed in the Royal dockyards respectively and the number of female applicants awaiting employment in the yards respectively?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe total number of women now employed in the Royal yards is upwards of 4,200. I may say that, before the War, the figure was 450. As regards the waiting list, I should have to make inquiry about that from each yard. I really do not think there is any necessity.
§ 90. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is still the practice of the heads of departments in the Royal dockyards to keep lists of eligible women awaiting employment; and, in view of the number of women applying and the few vacancies that occur, he will consider the advisability of pooling the lists and centralising the work under the direction of local departmental committees?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have already stated that these lists are kept, and I have explained the practice in regard to them. Certainly the list of applicants in any given dockyard district should be treated as a whole by the yard authorities, and I am making inquiries as to whether that is not now the case. But, of course, it must still rest with the responsible local head of each employing branch to decide as to the fitness of the applicants for the work required to be done.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the dockyard towns there is a very large number of deserving women—orphans and widows —who cannot get employment in the yards,? If there are lists in the yards for these women who want employment, why do they not get it?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI share my hon. Friend's anxiety to find employment for these women, but the amount of employment given depends upon whether there are vacancies or not.