§ 24. Major Owenasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of nurses and domestic staffs in hospital, he is prepared to recognise such service as a form of National Service?
§ Mr. TomlinsonYes, Sir; I recognise service on the nursing and domestic staffs of hospitals as one of the most important forms of National Service. It is included in the short list of vital war work for women for which women registered under the Registration for Employment Order are required.
§ Major OwenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many hospitals are short of domestic staff? Is it not a corollary of this Order that the Minister will now be able to direct women with experience of domestic service to these hospitals, as he is able to do into the Armed Forces?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI should require notice of that Question.
§ Sir Joseph LambIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the women who are being sent now are daily workers, who arrive at 8 o'clock and leave at 5; consequently there is no one to take charge of the early or late work?
§ Mr. TomlinsonHospitals, like all other institutions and industrial organisations, are having to do the best they can with the material available.
§ Sir J. LambWith the best will in the world, how can they wait till 8 o'clock to give all the patients their breakfast?
§ Major OwenIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are institutions of this character which have no cook at all? The matron of one hospital, to my own knowledge, on Sunday last had not only to look after the dressing of the patients but to cook dinners for 14 people.
§ Mr. MesserBefore the Department considers compelling anyone to work at a hospital, will the hon. Gentleman do his best to see that the remuneration of the lower-paid staffs is improved?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI will consider all the suggestions that have been made.