HC Deb 26 July 1934 vol 292 cc1917-8
9. Colonel CLIFTON BROWN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether any inspectors have vet been appointed to be responsible, as far as the Board of Education is concerned, for the inspection of junior instruction centres for unemployed boys and girls; and, if so, whether, in the case of the girls' centres where the curriculum will necessarily include domestic subjects, it is proposed to appoint a due proportion of women?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)

Five of the board's existing staff of inspectors have been specially assigned full-time to this work, and an equivalent number of new appointments have been made to provide for the normal inspection duties thus relinquished. No women inspectors have yet been specially assigned for this purpose; but in all cases where girls' work is concerned the board are arranging that the inspectors charged with the duty of inspecting junior instruction centres shall I have the advice and assistance of their women colleagues who are expert in subjects designed particularly for girls.

Colonel BROWN

Are we to understand that these male inspectors, before they inspect girls doing domestic work, have to go round and hunt out a woman to accompany them? Would it not be simpler to appoint some women inspectors?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

The duplication of these inspectors would be a very expensive matter. I have already pointed out that the men have whatever assistance they require from their women colleagues.

Colonel BROWN

Seeing that there are more girls than boys, how would that make the proposal more expensive?

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the salaries and pensions of transferred inspectors will be borne by the Ministry of Labour or by the Board of Education

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

I am not certain about that; I think by the Board of Education, but I should like to have notice.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Is the hon. Gentleman going to appoint any women inspectors to these positions fairly soon?

Mr. RAMSBOTHAM

I have already said that no women inspectors have yet been specially appointed for this purpose.