§ 20. Mr. Loverseedasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that on a Royal Air Force station of which he has been informed, a corporal of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force is employed to supervise the sweeping of floors and other menial tasks performed by skilled tradesmen; and whether he will issue instructions for the practice to be discontinued?
§ Sir A. SinclairAll airwomen at the Royal Air Force station referred to are required once a fortnight to assist, under the supervision of a W.A.A.F. non-commissioned officer, in cleaning the corridors of their hostel. In addition, they are required to attend to their own rooms, but no other duties of this sort are required of them. I consider that these arrangements, which are general throughout the Service under similar circumstances, are economical in man-power and reasonable in themselves, and I see no reason why they should be discontinued.
§ Mr. LoverseedIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the supervision of, shall we say, a 40-year-old stockbroker by a 19-year-old woman corporal of the W.A.A.F. is something which might cause much discontent?
§ Sir A. SinclairThat is quite a different point from any which the hon. Member raised in his Question.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs not the real test, who is the most skilled at sweeping floors?