§ 46. Dr. Edith Summerskillasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the reports of the air-raid precautions investigators have revealed the ignorance which exists among the women of the country as to the wages earned by their husbands; and whether he will consider introducing legislation to compel the wage-earner to reveal his total earnings in cases of hardship, where a wife believes she is not getting an equitable share of the family income for the necessities of life?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand that there have been some newspaper reports to the effect that the investigations in question have in certain cases revealed ignorance on the part of wives as to their husbands' exact earnings. I could not 894 contemplate legislation on the lines which the hon. Member suggests.
§ Dr. SummerskillWill the Prime Minister tell me whether he approves of the principle that women who work in the home should have some redress if it could be proved that they were not receiving an equitable share of the family income for food, rent, and clothing?
§ The Prime MinisterI should be very sorry to intervene in these domestic matters.
§ Captain McEwenWould my right hon. Friend not rather consider the possibility of introducing legislation to compel wives to disclose the details of the expenditure of their husbands' earnings?
§ Dr. SummerskillWill the Prime Minister tell me whether his rather frivolous attitude—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. ThorneWill the Prime Minister say whether his good lady knows what income he gets?