§ 8. Miss WILKINSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the French diplomatic service women have recently begun to be appointed to responsible posts, other than posts of a clerical nature, in the diplomatic service, and that women have been appointed to posts of ministerial or other rank in the Russian Soviet and the Bulgarian diplomatic service; and whether he is prepared to adopt this practice in the British diplomatic service?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINAs regards the first part of the question, I understand that the recent decision of the French Government, to which the hon. Member presumably refers, while admitting women to certain posts in Paris, provides that no woman so admitted can be employed abroad. I am aware that women have held posts in the Rusian Soviet, and I think once in the Bulgarian diplomatic service. I do not think any change in our own rules desirable.
§ Miss WILKINSONDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that British women are behind foreigners in regard to possessing the necessary diplomatic qualifications?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, quite the contrary.
Viscountess ASTORDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that this prejudice ought to be abolished, and that if there is a woman fit for a position, her sex should not stand against it?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe Rules of the House oblige me to address the Speaker. I do not think that any prejudice enters into the matter. I think it is a matter of expediency and our Rules are best in the present circumstances.
§ Mr. BATEYDoes the Foreign Secretary not consider that where a woman takes on a man's job and gets a man's pay, she ought to maintain an unemployed man and not spend the salary upon herself?