68. Mr. DUNCANasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that the lady supervisor over the women cleaners employed at the Air Board, Hotel Cecil, Strand, has threatened these women with dismissal if they become members of a trade union; and whether he will take steps to see that this practice is ended as speedily as possible?
§ Major BAIRDI regret to say that the facts are substantially as stated in the question. The action referred to was due to a misapprehension on the part of a subordinate official, and the necessary instructions are being issued to put the matter right.
69. Mr. DUNCANasked the Under Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that the women employed at No. 1 Stores, Royal Air Force, Greenwich, S.E. 13, have been informed by the officer in command that unless they join either the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps or the Women's Royal Naval Service no increases in wages will be given them; whether he is aware that in most cases these women are married and that either their husbands or sons are at present serving with the Colours; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made with a view to the prevention of a repetition of this kind of thing?
§ Major BAIRDWomen employed as civilian subordinates by all Royal Air Force units have been invited to join the Women's Royal Air Force, the advantages 511 of which have been fully explained to them. Enrolment in the Women's Royal Air Force is entirely voluntary, and civilian subordinates at present employed have complete freedom to join at any time, subject to passing the necessary medical examination. Women who do not wish to join are retained in their employment at existing rates of pay, which in some cases are higher than those paid to members of the Women's Royal Air Force for similar employment. Any increases of pay by way of war bonus officially authorised for civilian subordinates are payable to women who elect to remain in the employment of units of the Royal Air Force as civilian subordinates.