§ 9. Lady Apsleyasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that among war workers in different parts of the country there is much irritation, due to the belief that many women, especially between 4o and 5o years of age, are avoiding all forms of effective service; and whether his Department investigates all alleged cases of the kind which may be brought to its notice?
§ Mr. BevinI have had no evidence of this kind, but I can assure my hon. Friend that any alleged cases of avoidance of national service which are brought to notice are investigated. I would remind my hon. Friend that the maximum age for registration for women under the Registration for Employment Order is 46.
Dr. Russell ThomasIs it not a fact that many women already called up who are at present completely wasted would be better employed outside or in their own homes?
§ Mr. BevinI do not agree with my hon. Friend. I think the women have been used appropriately in the occupations for which they are suitable. I have no doubt the hon. Member has suffered some disappointment in consequence of my judgment.
Miss RathboneWill the Minister consider whether raising the registration age might not be the best way of dealing with the difficulty referred to in the Question, and might be the means of releasing a considerable number of women now taking shelter in the form of household and domestic workers in establishments where there are four or five domestic workers for a household of two or three people?