§ 48. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Labour how many women he has so far directed to any form of employment.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)Formal directions to take specified employment have been given to 10 women since 6th October, 1947, when the Control of Engagement Order came into operation. None of these women was directed as the result of registration under the Registration for Employment Order.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDoes the answer of the right hon. Gentleman mean that he regards it as desirable to maintain the machinery of direction of labour for women for the sake of issuing ten formal directions, or is it his intention to use it as a bluff to persuade large numbers to go in the direction he wants them to go?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe hon. Gentleman has gone very wide of his original Question. I have given him the answer for which he asked. I make no comment on the other points.