§ 42. Mr. GLANVILLEasked the Minister of Food whether he will take immediate 1109 steps to terminate the appointments of all married women engaged in any department of the Ministry of Food with a view to the engagement of either widows of men in His Majesty's forces killed during the War or disabled soldiers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of FOOD (Mr. McCurdy)Disabled soldiers are being substituted for existing officers of the Ministry of Food up to not less than 8 per cent. of the total staff, which is the percentage fixed for Government Departments generally. Married women not dependent on their earnings are naturally among the first to be discharged under the scheme; but the hon. Member will understand that it is necessary to consider the effect of such discharges on the general efficiency of the Department; and no pledge can be given that the appointments of all married women will be terminated.
§ 43. Mr. GLANVILLEasked the Minister of Food the number of married women now engaged at the London and Home Counties divisional headquarters and at the various local food offices whose husbands took no part in the War but have remained in constant civilian employment?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe number of married women now engaged at the London and Home Counties divisional headquarters offices, whose husbands took no part in the War but remained in constant civilian employment, is two. The number of such persons in the various local food offices in the London and Home Counties divisions is eighty. About 20 per cent. of these women, however, are temporarily engaged for work in connection with the rationing arrangements, and their services will be dispensed with in the course of a week or two.
60. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister what was the total number of women employed in Government Departments before the War; the number at the time of the Armistice, and the number 1101V; and what is the total number of demobilised soldiers and sailors who are still unemployed?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)The total numbers of women and girls employed in all civil Departments (including local offices throughout the country and tem- 1110 porary as well as permanent staff) at the-dates asked for are approximately as-follows:
I am informed by the Ministry of Labour that the number of demobilised soldiers and sailors at present employed is approximately 300,000, of whom, however, only 15,000 have had any experience of clerical work and only 6,000 are regarded by the Minister of Labour as suitable for Government service. Steps are being taken as rapidly as possible to effect the substitution of such men.
1st August, 1914 45,000 11th November, 1918 220,000 1st October, 1919 155,000
Sir F. HALLConsidering that the railways arc now under the Government, does the number the right hon. Gentleman has given me include women employed on the railways— work which could be done by demobilised soldiers and sailors?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not think the number can include women employed on the railways. The employâs of the railways are not employâs of the Government.
Sir F. HALLTaking into consideration the number of men who are unemployed, will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Department which deals with railways, in order that the work may be taken from the women and given to the men?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI hope he will be good enough to communicate direct with the Minister of Transport. I have a good deal of work of my own to do.
§ Sir M. DOCKRELLCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many Irish demobilised soldiers there are?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo. I cannot distinguish between the demobilised soldiers. If the hon. Member wants that information he must seek it from the Minister of Labour, from whom I had to get the information in order to answer this question.
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cc1110-1
- SUGAR. 411 words cc1111-2
- MILK FOR CHILDREN. 337 words cc1112-3
- LONDON MARKETS. 210 words