HC Deb 12 October 1944 vol 403 cc1924-5
41. Mrs. Tate

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any attempt has been made to estimate what it would have cost the State had they had to pay at current rates for the work done voluntarily for almost every Government department by the W.V.S.

Mr. H. Morrison

The cost of administration of the W.V.S., in so far as it is borne by the Exchequer, is carried on the Ministry of Home Security Vote. The services of the W.V.S. to other Departments are a matter of direct arrangement by those Departments, and no assessment of their aggregate money value is possible. Indeed I should feel it indelicate to attempt to put a cash value on the fine work of this public-spirited body of British women. I am sure that all the Ministers concerned would readily acknowledge, as I take this opportunity of doing for the Ministry of Home Security, the great value to the community of the work of the W.V.S.

Mrs. Tate

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his extraordinarily flowery tributes to the work of women would be far more impressive, if the Government sometimes backed them with material evidence of their appreciation; and could we know when the membership of the Royal Commission on Equal Pay will be announced?

Mr. Morrison

That is far beyond my competence, but the Deputy-Prime Minister tells me that there is a written Question about it to-day.