§ 1. Mr. MANDERasked the Minister of Labour what steps the Government propose to take to render domestic service more attractive and of higher status so as to cope with the unsatisfied demand in this occupation?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)I have nothing to add to the statement of policy which I made in answer to the question which the hon. Member put to me on the 6th November last.
§ Mr. MANDERAm I to understand that the Government have no settled policy for dealing with this question?
§ Miss BONDFIELDOn the contrary, I said that there is no change of policy.
| Women claimants* for benefit on the Registers of Employment Exchanges. | |||
| Date. | Married women. | Single women and widows. | Total. |
| 24th February, 1930 | 129,018 | 166,518 | 295,536 |
| 13th October, 1930 | 238,827 | 238,426 | 477,253 |
| 24th November, 1930, the latest date for which figures are available. | 238,000 | 249,600 | 487,600 |
| * Statistics of the numbers actually in receipt of benefit are not available. |
§ Sir ASSHETON POWNALLCan the right hon. Lady say how many training centres are now open for them?
§ Miss BONDFIELDFive.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCannot my right hon. Friend suggest an alternative name?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI do not think that that question arises.
§ 6. Dr. MARION PHILLIPSasked the Minister of Labour whether her Department has any information as to the number of vacancies in resident domestic service and the number of applicants for such work; and, if not, can she have inquiry made of private registry offices as well as Employment Exchanges?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe only statistics available are those relating to the vacancies notified and the applications registered at Exchanges in the appropriate classifications. I have no power to make inquiry of private registry offices as my hon. Friend suggests.