HC Deb 29 May 1919 vol 116 cc1401-2
35. Mr. RENDALL

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that many girls and women who volunteered for work at the Yate (Glos.) aerodrome have been recently discharged and their places taken by other women; whether this action is locally regarded as unjust and results in the turned-off women receiving out-of-work donation; whether, as the result of newspaper correspondence, no women received fresh notices on Friday, 16th May, but many girls left that week owing to previous notices and eight or nine fresh ones were taken on; and will he say what justification there is for this conduct?

Major-General SEELY

Apart from compassionate discharges (to which I presume my hon. Friend is not referring) I find that thirteen members of the Women's Royal Air Force at Yate were recommended for discharge in April last. The work in certain branches had then greatly diminished and the least efficient workers were selected for discharge when the staff was reduced. Discharges were carried into effect as regards eight of the women on the 9th May and as regards five on the 16th. Forty-seven members of the Women's Royal Air Force have since been enrolled, but only three of them, who were miscellaneous labourers, are of the same trade as those discharged. The women whose places they took were regarded as inefficient. Two civilian subordinates have also been discharged since the 1st April and their places taken by two members of the Women's Royal Air Force.

Mr. RENDALL

Will my right hon. Friend explain why women are turned off and receive out-of-work donation and at the same time an equal number are being taken on and being paid?

Major-General SEELY

I have asked for a full report from the officer commanding. I have not yet received it. I admit the point is somewhat obscure. If my hon. Friend will repeat the question next week I hope to be able to give an answer.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Cannot discharged soldiers do this work instead of women?

Major-General SEELY

That raises a very big question. Where women are already engaged in doing work well it would be wrong to displace thorn if they are fully efficient for the work, and more efficient than men would be. It is a big question which I cannot argue at present.