HC Deb 24 April 1918 vol 105 cc1000-1
67. Major HUNT

asked the Minister of National Service whether, in view of the fact that in some families of only two or three from six to ten servants are kept, he can see his way to take steps to prevent this waste of labour in the country during the War?

Mr. BECK

As my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, under the Order of the 9th April all certificates of exemption granted or renewed wholly or partly on occupational grounds are withdrawn in. the case of all male domestic indoor or outdoor servants who fall within the specified conditions of age and medical grades.

With regard to female servants, though there may still be some cases where an excessive number is employed, the appeals for recruits for the various women's corps have been responded to by large numbers of women with experience of domestic service, and I do not consider that any direct action by the Government is at present necessary.