§ 27. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of women workers in the factories of England and Wales; the number of factories that may be inspected by his Department; and the number of women inspectors available for inspection duties?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)Returns show that in 1930 there were 1,806,850 women and girls employed in factories: the figure for 1931 is not yet available. The number of registered factories at the end of 1931 was 155,354. There are at present 56 women inspectors in the divisional and district staffs. It would, of course, not be practicable to lay down any rule that factories where women only are employed should be inspected only by women inspectors.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEAre any of these women inspectors medical inspectors?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI could not say without notice.
§ 28. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Home Secretary what is the number of women factory inspectors in Classes 1A, 1B and 2; and whether, in future, he will arrange that the Estimates should show the numbers of each sex in all classes of inspectors?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThere are at present nine women inspectors in Class 1A, 19 in Class 1B and 26 in Class 2. As regards the latter part of the question, I am afraid it would not be possible to comply with the hon. Member's request. The men's and women's staffs have now been amalgamated, and while the total complement of inspectors in each of the classes mentioned is definitely fixed, and shown accordingly in the Estimates, the number in each sex may vary from time to time.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think there ought to be some discrimination in the Estimates?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI will consider the suggestion.