39. Viscountess ASTORasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many exemptions have been granted to women civil servants from the regulation made under Orders in Council in July, 1920, which requires them to resign on marriage; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. COOPERThe answer to the first part of the question is six, of which four have been granted since the adoption of new regulations in June, 1934. Applications will continue to be dealt with under these regulations which are based upon the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service, 1929–31, and of the Committee of Official and Staff Representatives which reported in March, 1934. I am sending a copy of the regulations to the Noble Lady.
Viscountess ASTORWhen do the Government propose to carry out the implications of the Sex Disqualification Removal Act, 1918; and does he not think that women have a right to expect from the Government the justice and equal treatment which were promised to them?
§ Mr. GUYIs it not now the policy of the Government that women should be retained in the service after marriage if their services are regarded as of special value?
§ Mr. THORNEWill consideration be given to the question of whether, when married women are retained in the service, their husbands are not undercutting anybody else in regard to income?