§ 33. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Minister of Labour why there is at present no woman deputy chief inspector of factories amongst the headquarters staff of the factory inspectorate.
§ Mr. ThomsonDoes not the Minister agree that the welfare of a large number of women workers of this country makes it important that at least one of the deputy chief inspectors at headquarters ought normally to be a woman, and that this practice has been long established?
§ Mr. CarrI can assure the hon. Gentleman that women are well represented throughout the factory inspectorate, and that in the immediate grade below the one referred to four out of twelve posts are held by women. However, we hold that the interests of all in industry, men and women alike, will best be served by regarding all posts in the inspectorate as open to both sexes on a basis of full equality, and this is in accordance with the present general promotion policy of my Department.
§ 34. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Labour when the report of the working party on the organisation, methods and staffing of the factory inspectorate is likely to be completed and submitted to him; and whether he will publish the report.
§ Mr. CarrMy right hon. Friend's predecessor arranged for three senior members of the Department to review these matters and he expects their findings and proposals to be completed this month.
It is not proposed to publish their Report but any important changes decided upon as a result of their recommendations will be announced.
§ Dr. StrossIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his Answer is disappointing for many hon. Members and many people outside the House who are deeply 381 interested in the problem of the recruitment of technically-qualified staff for this Department? If there is to be no publication of the Report, could we not at least have a typescript of the decisions placed in the Library so that we may see it?
§ Mr. CarrI appreciate the interest of the hon. Gentleman and of many other hon. Members of the House in this important subject. I have said that any changes decided upon will be announced, and I will certainly consider whether any other steps can be taken to keep hon. Members informed of what we are doing in this respect.
Mr. LeeIs the Minister satisfied that the present terms and conditions of employment afford an opportunity for well-qualified persons to take employment in the inspectorate without having to suffer financial loss compared with what they would get in jobs outside?
§ Mr. CarrI can only say that at the moment the inspectorate is almost up to our establishment. This is the first time for many years, and it is a fair indication that recruitment must be reasonably attractive at the moment.
§ 35. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Labour for how many years a woman officer has served as deputy chief inspector of factories; and whether it is proposed to continue the practice of appointing at least one woman to this grade.
§ Mr. CarrSince 1921. Future vacancies will be filled by the best qualified candidate, whether man or woman.
§ Dr. StrossIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I heard the Answer which he gave on this matter in reply to the last Question but one, and that I disagree with him completely? Is he further aware that a third of the women of the country are female workers—[Laughter.] I mean a third of the workers are females. Is he not prepared to accept that women sometimes have special problems at work and that it is desirable that at least one senior officer should be a woman?
§ Mr. CarrAs I have said already, women are well represented in the factory inspectorate and in the senior ranks. It so happens that there is not one in the 382 rank of deputy chief inspector at the moment, but there are no fewer than four out of twelve in the immediate rank below. So long as we maintain a good representation of women I think it is right to promote on merit regardless of sex.