34. Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information to give the House with regard to the scheme which has been in operation for some time past for the training and, when trained, the providing with outfits, as domestic helpers, of women who have been thrown out of industrial employment; how is the scheme financed, by public or private funds; how many women have been found employment; and are any conditions laid down as to wages and hours of work of women for whom employment is found?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Home-craft Training Scheme for unemployed women is conducted by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment, who have allocated to this work £100,000, from heir grant from the National Relief Fund. In addition, the Ministry of Labour have contributed a grant of £50,000. Needlework is among the subjects taught and the women make outfits which they may buy at cost price at the end of training. Seven thousand women have been, or are being, trained under the scheme. All new entrants have for some 2172 time past been required to undertake to enter domestic service at the end of training, and the great majority are known to do so. The Committee have laid down no conditions as to wages or hours of employment.
Colonel NEWMANHas a mistress who wants to obtain the services of one of these domestic helpers to go to the Employment Exchange to get a domestic helper?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIf the vacancy is notified at the Employment Exchange, she would go there to get an applicant, and I confess I do not see why she should not.