13. Mrs. Slaterasked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to find employment for the women cleaners who will be out of work as the result of Her Majesty's Government's policy of employing outside contractors.
§ Mr. HareThe services of my local offices are available to all affected by the change to contract cleaning. I am glad to say that there is a steady demand for the services of these ladies. I anticipate no difficulty in finding alternative employment for them.
Mrs. SlaterDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that, since this matter was first raised on the Floor of the House, there has been direct action to help these women? Would it not be better for the Government to change their present policy and continue to have direct labour for women cleaners in Government offices?
§ Mr. HareThe difficulties about the previous arrangements were that a lot of Departments were unable to recruit and retain in central London adequate numbers of these women cleaners.