HC Deb 08 July 1920 vol 131 cc1625-7
4. Mr. HURD

asked the Minister of Pensions when he proposes to increase the number of disabled ex-service men, which is now 3,465, on the temporary staff of his Ministry, in place of women, also temporarily employed, who now number 14,331?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Advantage is taken of every reasonable opportunity of replacing women on the temporary staff by disabled ex-service men, and since the 1st April the number of the latter in the employment of the Ministry has been in-creased from 3,465, to 3,954. The total number of ex-service men now employed is 10,235, while the number of women is 14,202.

Mr. HURD

Does the hon. Gentleman realise the extreme difficulty of convincing ex-service men that we are doing our best for them, when there are these women still employed on the temporary staff of the Ministry of Pensions?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I quite see the point the hon. Member is making, and we are doing everything possible to give positions in the Ministry to discharged and disabled men, but of these 14,000, at least 5,000 places are taken by women for institutional work, such as cleaners.

Colonel ASHLEY

On what notice are these women? Is it weekly notice, and could not notices be given that so many should be discharged each month?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I do not know what notice they are upon, but I will find out. I do not think it would be fair to give notice to a great many of these women, who are the wives and very often the widows of discharged soldiers, and it is very difficult to lay down a general principle.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Could not some of these 14,000 women who are the wives of discharged soldiers or ex-service men be dismissed?

Mr. MACPHERSON

We are doing that as far as we can, but it is extremely difficult to get rid of competent women who have done good work when men were not available.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHS

Will you keep the widows, and allow the single women to go?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Yes, that is the principle on which we work.

Mr. PALMER

Is there any work done by a woman that cannot be done by a man, and should not men have first claim on this Department?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Yes, I have pointed out that at least 5,000 of these persons are doing women's work.

Mr. PALMER

What is women's work?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Cleaning offices.

Mr. A. WILLIAMS

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

We cannot have a Debate. There are 127 questions to deal with.