§ 4. Colonel W. THORNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that three girls have been appointed over seers in the men's department at an explosives works; if he is aware that the workmen are resenting women being employed as overseers in such departments; if he can state whether discharged soldiers can be appointed for such work; and if he will take action in the matter?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)Yes, Sir. Women overseers are in certain cases employed as assistants to Admiralty inspectors. Their duties are confined to observation and notation. No executive or disciplinary action is entailed. They do the work very well. As regards employment of discharged soldiers and sailors, I can assure my hon. Friend that we do our very best in every direction to find these men employment. And as regards the point that workmen resent women being so employed, I would point out to my hon. Friend that there are large numbers of cases where men are appointed to supervise women's work, and necessarily so.