HC Deb 26 February 1918 vol 103 cc1251-3
40. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Minister of Munitions how many women munition workers have been dismissed or received notice of dismissal during the last three weeks as a result of the termination of certain contracts; what notice was given to the Employment Exchanges in the districts affected; whether he is aware that hardship has been inflicted upon women whose services to the country have been the subject of many Ministerial eulogies; and whether he is prepared to authorise the payment of a month's wages and railway fares home?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY Of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)

The number of women munition workers who have been dismissed or received notice of dismissal during the last three weeks as a result of the termination of certain contracts is about 8,000. It is not possible without inquiries from each Exchange to say what notice was given to the Employment Exchanges in each district. Firms were requested to give the Employment Exchanges a fortnight's notice of the numbers, and a week's notice of the individuals, to be discharged. Fresh instructions are being circulated emphasising the necessity for the longest possible notice.

The Minister regrets that a certain amount of hardship is inevitable, but everything that can properly be done will be done to reduce the hardship. There are openings for a considerable number of women in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, in agriculture, in shipyards, and in other occupations. The machinery of the Labour Exchanges and of the National Service Department is being utilised to its fullest capacity in order to bring the women who may be displaced into these other forms of national service. The possibility of giving priority in employment on war work to these women is under discussion.

The suggestion that the Minister should authorise the issue of free railway warrants home is receiving sympathetic consideration. Other suggestions—e.g., the payment of wages for a certain period—are being examined by the Departments concerned in conjunction with the Treasury. An Inter-Departmental Conference is being held this afternoon by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, the Chairman of the War Cabinet Committee on Unemployment, to consider these and other aspects of the problem.

Mr. ANDERSON

Is the figure given of 8,000 right up to date, and does it take in certain dismissals due to the termination of contracts now being discussed?

Mr. KELLAWAY

It covers all the notices of dismissals for a period of three weeks up to Saturday.

Mr. HOGGE

Can my hon. Friend assure us that the girls, of whom there are a large number in the 8,000, will not be stranded in different parts of England and will be returned to their relatives in Scotland?

Mr. KELLAWAY

That point is dealt with in my answer, in which I state that the suggestion that they should be given free railway warrants to their homes is receiving sympathetic consideration.

Mr. HOGGE

It wants more than that.

Mr. G. FABER

In view of the importance of not discouraging the efforts put forward by the women of this country during the War, will the hon. Gentleman be especially zealous and careful to find places for these women at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. KELLAWAY

One of the considerations taken into account in deciding on the termination of those contracts is the possibility of replacing the displaced labour in that particular area,.

Mr. T. WILSON

Are there no arrangements in existence now for transferring women doing certain work from the place where they are discharged to other places where their services may be utilised?

Mr. KELLAWAY

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to my answer, he will see that that point is dealt with

Sir C. SEELY

How long is the notice that is given to these women?

Mr. KELLAWAY

I have already said in my answer that the notice given to the Employment Exchanges is a fortnight as to numbers and a week to individuals.

Sir C. SEELY

I mean the notice to the women themselves?

Mr. KELLAWAY

In that case they are entitled to a week's notice.

Sir R. ADKINS

Would it not be possible, in view of the obvious difficulties, to give a longer notice, because the Department would surely be in a position to know its own mind longer than a week before a factory would be closed? Will the hon. Gentleman see that longer notice will be given?

Mr. KELLAWAY

In stating the period of the notice I said that fresh instructions are being circulated emphasising the necessity for a longer notice.