§ 6. Sir John Mellorasked the Minister of Labour whether, in revising the Schedule of Reserved Occupations, he will have regard to the increase in the number and magnitude of the responsibilities entrusted by Parliament and by the Government to local authorities, whose staffs are already depleted; and whether he will give an assurance that women employed by local authorities will not be diverted to other work before there has been consultation with the authorities concerned?
§ Mr. BevinI have fully considered the matters referred to in the first part of the Question, in consultation with my right lion. Friend the Minister of Health. As regards the second part of the Question, it is not the intention to move to other 1138 work women who are in the full-time employment of local authorities, and whose qualifications are being properly utilised.
§ Sir J. MellorIn the circumstances, will the right hon. Gentleman advise other Government Departments to be cautious with regard to the amount of work they put on to local authorities?