§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Postmaster-General whether it has been decided to staff the City, Central, and Trunk Exchanges at Carter Lane by women at night; whether, in arriving at this decision, due regard has been paid to public safety in the event of enemy air raids and the importance of this centre of communication in an emergency; whether efforts have been made to obtain men for this work; and what is the rate of wages offered?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe answers to the first three parts of the question are in the affirmative. I have come to the conclusion, however, that it would not be right to make further efforts to attract men to do this work, which can perfectly well be done by women, in view of the demand for men in occupations for which they alone are suitable. The rate of wages offered to temporary women employed on the duty is 24s. for four night's work weekly.