§ 21. Colonel APPLINasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the growing demand for the services of girls for home employment; and, seeing that the payment of unemployment benefits to girls fit and suitable for this work is injurious to their own future as prospective wives and mothers, will he consider what steps he can take to encourage them to seek employment when it is open to them?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am aware that there is, and has been for a long time, a shortage of resident domestic servants. All vacancies in domestic service notified to the Exchanges are offered to suitable unemployed girls, and each case of refusal of such employment is dealt with on its merits by the statutory authorities under the Acts.
§ Colonel APPLINMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether these girls are not all infants in the eye of the law, and therefore have to look for sustenance to their parents?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, Sir; that is not so.