HC Deb 04 December 1941 vol 376 cc1228-9
2. Mr. Gledhill

asked the Minister of Labour why female textile workers are debarred from volunteering for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force and are told they must either go on munition work or join the Auxiliary Territorial Service?

Mr. Bevin

I am not aware that under the arrangements hitherto operative women volunteers who were free to leave their previous employment were debarred from joining any one of the Women's Auxiliary Services, if that Service had a vacancy for them. Under the. new arrangements now proposed it will of course always be necessary that there should be a vacancy in the particular Service and, as was stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on Tuesday, women between 20 and 30 who are being called up compulsorily will not be free to decide which Services they join.

Mr. Gledhill

Will the Minister look into cases if I send them to him?

Mr. Bevin

Certainly, Sir.