10. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Labour whether, as the present demand for women in munition factories is limited, and it is unwise to suggest there is a large demand for women labour all over the country before the proper machinery has been created to absorb it, he will withdraw the permission given by his Department for the release of a film doing propaganda work for his Department entitled "A Call for Arms"?
§ Mr. BevinWhile the present demand for women in munition factories is limited, there must be a growing demand for women labour as the programme expands and output is accelerated. I had no responsibility for the preparation of the film referred to and do not propose to take any action in the matter.
Miss WardIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a certain munitions area where the hours of work and wages have been reduced owing to the low demand for labour, an angry crowd of women went to the Employment Exchange? Does he really think it is quite fair for a film depicting women fainting, with such captions as "Will you come and help?" to be shown throughout the country?
Miss WardIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Department was asked to approve the film as suitable propaganda, and passed it?
19. Miss Wardasked the Minister of Labour what facilities are now available for women now unemployed if they desire to train as cooks?
§ Mr. BevinThe few remaining classes which were run for me by the Central Committee on Women's Training, and Employment have come to an end. Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining recruits for these classes, and moreover there are large numbers of unemployed women cooks on the registers of the Employment Exchanges. In these circumstances, I do not feel that there is at present any special need for training facilities of this type.
Miss WardMay I ask that, if in future it should become necessary and women want to train as cooks, there shall be classes available?