57. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether a return will be made to the House showing how many persons have received benefit from the sum of£500,000 from the National Relief Fund obtained by the Central Committee for Women's Training and Employment in order to train women war workers for civil positions; will he say if the Central Committee does its work on a voluntary basis or draws any funds from any Government Department; and what is its present composition?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Sir Montague Barlow)I have been asked to reply. The Central Committee on Women s Training and Employment has in course of preparation an interim report on its work, which embraces the training not only of war workers, as stated in my hon. Friend's question, but all women or girls of 16 years of age and upwards whose earning capacity or opportunities have been injuriously affected as a result of conditions arising out of the War. These figures will be published very shortly. As regards the second part of the question, the Committee has set up Local Interviewing Boards of experts which sit in convenient centers throughout the country for the purpose of interviewing candidates. The Committee does not draw funds from any Government Department. In reply to the last part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer to his question of 7th July.
Colonel NEWMANHow has this sum of£500,000 been received? Who has got power to give National Relief Fund money away?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI think that that is probably dealt with in the Report. I would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to wait until the Report is issued, and if it is not satisfactory he can put down a question.