§ 10. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Minister of Labour whether she has any information as to a general disinclination of women and girls to go into domestice service; and what steps is she taking to overcome this disinclination?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am aware that some women and girls whose whole experience has been in industry are disinclined to change their occupation and enter domestic service. Where considered desirable, domestic vacancies are brought to the notice of persons attending Employment Exchanges, and where preliminary training is required, the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment are prepared to provide it.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEThe right hon. Lady has answered the question about women who are already engaged in industry. Can she say what she is doing to try and persuade young girls who have not had any industrial training to take up domestic service?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThese are being trained in the 28 centres.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes my right hon. Friend propose to give any training to mistresses?
23. Miss LEEasked the Minister of Labour whether the regulations issued enable unemployed women who are trained and experienced in some branch of shop or factory work to decline offers of domestic service without thereby jeopardising their rights to unemployment benefit?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThere are no regulations on this matter. It is for the statutory authorities to determine whether an occupation other than that previously followed is suitable in a particular case. In deciding this question they have regard to the claimant's skill and experience in her usual occupation, and the extent of the change of occupation involved.
Miss LEEIs the Minister aware that there are many women in Lanarkshire who feel that they must accept that 1317 domestic service, whatever their previous training may have been, and will she see that they are not cut off from benefit?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI cannot give an assurance which it does not rest within my power to enforce.