§ 47. Mr. MYERSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Treasury proposals for the future payment of temporary staffs give a basic minimum to Grade 4 women clerks which is lower than the factory workers' minimum laid down by Mr. Seebohm Rowntree after prolonged investigations as the lowest standard wage upon which health could be maintained by an individual woman without dependants: that the majority of Grade 4 temporary women clerks have others wholly or partly dependent upon them and in London considerably higher fares than are usual for the women with regard to whom Mr. Rowntree's investigations were made; and whether he will cause the proposals o be reviewed in view of the fact that they would bring the w omen clerks concerned below the figure laid down for certain sweated trades as trades boards' minima or will consent to the women's case being investigated by the Industrial Court?
Mr. YOUNGThe large majority of temporary women clerks are in Grade 3. 1669 Women in Grade 4 are for the most part under 21 years of age, and are engaged on semi-manipulative duties. In cases where adult women are employed in Grade 4, the minimum rate which is now, in London 40s. or 43s. a week (varying with the normal weekly attendance required), would, under the Treasury proposals, be reduced to 36s. 1d. or 38s. 10d. a week. These amounts do not, so far as I am aware, conflict with any minimum rate laid down by Mr. Seebohm Rowntree, and they are certainly in excess of the general level of minimum rates prescribed by Trade Boards for adult women in various industries. In these circumstances the remainder of the question does not arise.
§ Mr. MYERSCan the hon. Gentleman agree to either of the two alternatives contained in the latter part of the question?
Mr. YOUNGNo. I think, in view of the facts set forth in the first part of my answer, it is not possible to agree to either of the suggestions.