1. Mr. RUTHERFORDasked the Minister of Labour whether he will assure the House that it is the policy of his Department to employ male clerks rather than female where possible?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIn the Employment Exchange service, clerical posts, broadly speaking, are not common to both sexes but are filled by men or women according to the nature of the work. Thus the women's departments of Employment Exchanges are staffed by women officers. Elsewhere in my Department the normal Civil Service practice is followed, and clerical posts are regarded as common to men and women. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware the competitive examinations for the clerical classes are open to both sexes alike in accordance with the Resolutions passed by the House of Commons on 5th August, 1921.