§ 43. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, excluding the inspectorate, there are no women either in the children's division or in the police division of the Home Office; and whether, in view of the desirability of associating women with this work, he will take steps when future vacancies occur to secure the appointment of women by promotion, transfer, or otherwise to responsible posts in these divisions?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)I assume the hon. Member refers to the administrative staff, as women are employed on clerical duties in both the divisions referred to as well as in the inspectorate. The administrative staff, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, is recruited by open competitive examination, for which women are now eligible on the same footing as men, and in the event of a woman being appointed to the Home Office, I would certainly consider employing her in one of the divisions mentioned.