§ 6. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for War the number of men of military age engaged in work in the Army Pay Offices; and whether the work of such men can be performed by women?
§ Sir J. GriggIt would not be in the public interest for me to give the actual numbers. There are, however, nearly as many women as men now engaged in work in Army Pay Offices. The proportion of women is being increased in so far as suitably qualified members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service and civilians can be found. But Pay Offices with Forces overseas must be staffed by men and in order to meet this commitment a substantial proportion of those engaged in work in Pay Offices at home must be men.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonWhy cannot men over 60 be any longer employed in the War Office even if they have served in the last war, in view of the fact that both Foch and Hindenburg were at their height when they were nearly 70?
§ Sir J. GriggI think that my hon. and gallant Friend's generalisation is much too sweeping.
Mr. AstorAre not the A.T.S. capable of doing this work in places like Cairo and Jerusalem as well as in London?
§ Mr. ThorneDo the women pay clerks receive the pay recognised by the National Union of Clerks?
§ Sir J. GriggI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. GuyWere not a large percentage of these men placed in a low medical category? Owing to the persistent questioning on this point, are not men passed A1 by the Military Tribunal after a period?
§ Sir J. GriggI know nothing about the second part of the question, but I should think it extremely doubtful. It is the case that only about one quarter of the men in the Pay Offices are in category A.
§ Sir J. GriggNot without notice.