HC Deb 02 July 1919 vol 117 cc948-9
30. Mr. RAPER

asked the Minister of Labour how many women and girls were being employed in Government Departments on, respectively, the 1st November, 1918, and the 15th June, 1919?

Mr. BALDWIN (Joint Financial Secretary to the Treasury)

I hope to circulate shortly a statement showing the staff of each Government Department on 1st August, 1914, 11th November, 1918, and 31st March, 1919, respectively; under arrangements now instituted for monthly returns of the staff of Government Departments; figures showing the staff at the beginning of July will become available before long. I hope that in the circumstances the hon. Member will not press for figures for the particular dates in his question.

Mr. RAPER

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very strong feeling in the country that all the girls employed at temporary work in Government offices should be superseded by demobilised soldiers in the shortest possible space of time?

Mr. BALDWIN

That is one of the reasons that induced me to have this monthly collection of figures got out.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Can the hon. Gentleman let us have the number of houses that have been commandeered since the Armistice?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.