§ 13. Mr. Linsteadasked the Minister of Labour whether, as the fact that his Department has found in practice that it is useless to direct prostitutes into National Service indicates the need for a comprehensive inquiry to devise constructive measures to deal with the treatment and training of the social and industrial misfit, he will now set up such an inquiry?
§ Mr. BevinI do not think that the difficulties of dealing with the class of person under the National Service scheme are a sufficient reason why I should undertake the suggested inquiry, which would raise many social and medical issues extending far beyond the sphere of my Department.
§ Mr. LinsteadWould not my right hon. Friend agree that the present situation is the source of a good deal of dissatisfaction to women who are subject to direction and who are tied by direction?
§ Mr. BevinYes, Sir, but I cannot use the National Service Act for a sociological purpose of this character, or I should bring the whole system into disrepute.