HC Deb 28 September 1939 vol 351 cc1488-9
74. Mr. Gallacher

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will take steps to see that in all war work for which the Government is responsible the principle of equal pay for men and women doing similar work is operated, thus setting an example to municipalities and private employers where very great discrepancies of pay are reported for similar work performed by men and women, respectively?

Captain Crookshank

There is no intention to modify the existing practice of differentiating in pay between men and women civil servants in the same grade.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the case that all over the country now women are being brought into employment and are doing work in line with what has been done by men, and that something should be done immediately in order to set an example so that the women get the same wages for the same class of work as the men?