§ 1. Mr. Daggarasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of young women were recently dismissed their employment at a certain factory; why was the reason for their discharge given as not obtaining the standard required in the work for which they have been selected; and will he take steps to inform the company that such an inaccurate statement constitutes a poor testimonial to the young women's capacities, which they resent, and that it should not be repeated in other similar cases?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Bevin)I am informed that the reason given for these discharges was in some cases that on account of reorganisation the employee was surplus to requirements and in others that she had not attained the standard required in the work for which she was selected. There was in every case a right of appeal to a local Appeal Board. Every possible step is being taken to find employment elsewhere for the discharged workers.
§ Mr. DaggarIs my right hon. Friend aware that in instances where the girls had undertaken a course of training for 10 weeks and had been passed out as being fit for such work, their dismissal forms contained a statement that they had not attained that standard, and if it was true that the company did not require them, why was it not stated that their services were surplus to requirements? Will my right hon. Friend inform the company 1872 that, in putting on the dig missal forms a false statement that the girls were incapable of undertaking the work for which they had been selected, it was doing a disservice to these young women?
§ Mr. BevinI was not aware of the point raised by my hon. Friend, but I will pursue the matter further.