§ 25. Major CAYZERasked the Minister of Labour whether widows and discharged and demobilised soldiers and sailors are being discharged from the dockyard at Portsmouth whilst young single girls are being retained there; and, if so, what steps will be taken to see that these girls, with practically no dependants, are not kept in employment at the dockyard to the detriment of widows with children and wounded and demobilised men?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have been asked to reply to my hon. Friend's question. Demobilised sailors and soldiers are not being discharged from Portsmouth Dockyard, as suggested in the first part of the question. Owing to the changed conditions, it has been necessary to dispense with the services of nearly all the women who were engaged for manual work in 895 place of men during the War; and it is the case that the women discharged include some widows and dependants of men who have lost their lives whilst serving in the forces, preference having been given to such in engaging women for employment during the War. As regards the second part of the question, it is generally the case (in accordance with Admiralty instructions) that the women with no dependants are the first to be discharged.
§ Viscount CURZONDoes that apply to all the dockyards or to Portsmouth only?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI think I may safely say that it applies to all the dockyards. At any rate, the Regulations which I have quoted do apply generally.