§ 11. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that youthful delinquency is attributable in some measure to the absence of maternal attention, now difficult owing to the lack of domestic help, whereby many mothers are compelled to spend their whole time upon shopping and household tasks; and what steps he proposes to relieve this situation?
§ Mr. BevinI am not aware of any evidence that absence of domestic help is primarily responsible for any failure there may be in maternal attention or control. If my hon. Friend will give me evidence to the contrary, I will look into it.
§ Mr. AdamsIs the Minister aware of the cases of hardship in which women have been completely deprived of domestic assistance required for their families, and, as the Minister has made concessions to permit such labour to 341 remain, could he not give a general instruction that in hard cases of this character his local officers should be tolerant to the applicants?
§ Mr. BevinIf my hon. Friend can give any particulars where they have been intolerant in this matter then I can look into them. I am not prepared in these matters to issue any more general instructions.
§ Mr. ButcherIs it not a fact that large numbers of women, in addition to performing these duties, have made a substantial part-time contribution to the war effort?
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these children, owing to lack of parental control, are growing up into young hooligans?