§ 18. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will state the names of the women's organisations with whom he has now had discussions on the subject of domestic fuel cuts.
§ Mr. ShinwellDiscussions with women's organisations took place at a meeting in my Department at which 17 organisations were represented. As the list is a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Invitations are being issued to a much larger number of organisations to attend a meeting next week.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the right hon. Gentleman state in what capacity Miss Mary Sutherland, the chief woman officer of the Labour Party, was present, and whether similar invitations were issued to this lady's opposite numbers in the Conservative and Liberal Parties?
§ Mr. ShinwellI imagine that Miss Mary Sutherland would represent the Women's Co-operative Guild.
§ Mrs. Leah ManningNo.
§ Mr. ShinwellShe was present in consequence of her membership of the Standing Joint Committee of Working Women's Organisations. As regards the other organisations, while I say nothing about them, I have no doubt that they have all got their political views.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeCan my right hon. Friend assure me that the list excludes the Tory controlled British Housewives League?
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenteris the Minister aware that the organisation to which he referred—the Standing Joint Committee—consists only of representatives of the "Co-op.", the trade unions and the Labour Party?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am well aware of that. Why should they not be permitted to represent them?
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the Minister aware that the female of the species is more deadly than the male?
§ Mr. ShinwellIf it is any satisfaction or consolation to the hon. Member, I can tell him that among the organisations which advised us was the Good- Housekeeping Institute.
§ Sir W. SmithersThey are still more deadly.
§ The following is the list:
- Association of Teachers of Domestic Subjects.
- Church Army Women's Section.
- Citizens' Advice Bureaux.
- Electrical Association for Women.
- Good Housekeeping Institute.
- National Council of Women.
- National Federation of Women's Institutions.
- National Union of Townswomen's Guilds.
- National Union of Women Teachers.
- Scottish Women's Rural Institutes.
- Standing Joint Committee of Working Women's Organisations.
- Women's Advisory Committee on Solid Fuel.
- Women's Advisory Housing Council.
- Women's Co-operative Guild.
- Women's Gas Council.
- Women's Group on Public Welfare.
- Women's Voluntary Services.
§ (A number of other organisations were invited but did not send representatives to the meeting.)