§ 26. Mr. WIGNALLasked the Prime Minister whether he IB aware that before the Dissolution of the last Parliament petitions with several thousand signatures, including numbers from taxpayers not directly concerned, were sent to the Treasury appealing for an Industrial Court hearing of the case for and against further reductions in the rates of pay of temporary women civil servants; and whether he will consider allowing such a hearing to take place now, in view of the fact that it can be proved that the majority of women who would receive the proposed December reductions in salary already have insufficient food and clothing for full efficiency to be maintained, having to contribute to the support of others on inadequate wages?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Baldwin)I have been asked to reply. As regards the first part of the question, I am aware that a petition containing between two and three thousand signatures was submitted before the Dissolution of the last Parliament. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question put yesterday by the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley.