27. Mr. MIDDLETONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that many of the women employés at Kew now having their cases investigated by officers of his Department. have already been cross-examined as to their most 1197 intimate private affairs once, or more than once, in the course of their employment with the Ministry of Labour; that those transferred from other Departments because they were efficient workers maintaining others, had previously had their affairs investigated by substitution hoards, including ex-service men in those Departments; and whether he will undertake that the present cross-examination shall be the last imposed in cases other than those in which improvement of circumstances is likely to occur in future?
Sir M. BARLOWI am aware that a similar inquiry has taken place previously, but it will be realised that personal circumstances frequently change materially in a comparatively short space of The present inquiry is being made with the view to ensuring that only women who earn their own living, or have others dependent on them, are retained on the temporary staff. Although a further detailed inquiry will probably not be necessary, I consider that, in pursuance of the general policy of the Government in this matter, the circumstances of the officers concerned should be kept under scrutiny from time to time.