§ 31. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister of Public Building and Works how many scientific and professional staff in his Department are women; and how many of them hold posts similar to that of superintending professional engineers.
§ Mr. MellishTwenty-one and none.
§ Mrs. ShortDoes my right hon. Friend feel very satisfied about this position? In view of the shortage of scientific and technologically trained staff in his Department, does not he think that he could do something to encourage more women to take the necessary qualifications and training?
§ Mr. MellishThere is no prejudice in my Department against women. Indeed, the better looking they are the more we like them. However, very few women have qualifications to the professional and scientific degrees required. There is 699 also the normal wastage in that when we are fortunate enough to get a first-class lady she is likely to get married.