HC Deb 21 October 1942 vol 383 cc1960-1
36. Mr. Thorne

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport how many railwaymen have been taken away for the fighting forces and how many women are now engaged upon the railways?

Mr. Noel-Baker

98,879 male employees of the railways were serving with His Majesty's Forces on 31st August, 1942. On 30th September, 1942, the railways had 105,656 women in their employment.

Mr. Thorne

Are these women paid in accordance with the wages that were paid to the men who have joined the Forces?

Mr. Noel-Baker

That matter is dealt with by the competent trade union authorities. I will look into the details of the question, but I should like to take the opportunity of paying a tribute to the example that the railways have shown in training and employing great numbers of women.

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