§ 48. Colonel Errollasked the Minister of Labour when he intends to give effect to the recommendations in the Report on Post-war Organisation for Domestic Employment, Cmd. 6650.
§ Mr. IsaacsI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on 18th October to the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden (Mr. R. A. Butler) to which I have at the moment nothing to add.
§ 54. Lieutenant Herbert Hughesasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of domestic staff for public institutions and the increasing demand arising from the Government's social policy, he is considering steps for the wider recruitment and training of domestic workers.
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir. With regard to hospitals in particular, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Stationery Office publication "Staffing the Hospitals" which sets out in Appendix II the conditions of employment, including training, for hospital domestic staffs. As to recruitment, hospital domestic vacancies are eligible for first priority and for some time past any woman has been free to leave her present employment to take up domestic work of this character unless she is employed in a key post.
§ Lieutenant HughesCould the Minister give some indication of the number of persons undergoing training for domestic service at the present time?
§ Mr. IsaacsNo, Sir, not without notice.
§ Dr. Stephen TaylorAre these regulations permissive or compulsory?
§ Mr. IsaacsI am sorry, but I do not quite get the point which the hon. Member has raised. If he will see me, I will get him the information he wants.