§ 17. Sir GERALD HURSTasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in spite of the Liverpool Corporation having in terms opened to women the advertised position of superintendent of letting, and of such position having been offered by the housing committee to Miss J. M. Thompson, now estate manager 1121 to the borough of Rotherham, subject to the council's confirmation, the council referred back her appointment on the sole ground that she is a woman; and whether the Ministry of Health will tender advice to the Liverpool Council on the desirability of appointing women housing estate managers?
Sir H. YOUNGMy attention has not previously been drawn to this matter. The selection of an officer in any particular instance is within the discretion of the appointing authority, but in the last two annual reports of the Ministry of Health the attention of local authorities was drawn to the importance of the appointment of properly qualified officers for house management, and I propose to include some further observations on this issue in an early circular letter.
Viscountess ASTORDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that this is a job which can be done better by a qualified woman than by a man?
§ Mr. BUCHANANNonsense.