§ Major Sir SAMUEL SCOTTasked the Minister of Labour how many women and girls formerly employed in the dressmaking trade are in receipt of unemployment pay; how many applications have been made by firms for women and girls who have been employed in this industry; and whether he is aware that, owing to the difficulty in obtaining labour, certain firms are prepared to take unskilled girls between sixteen and eighteen, who are now getting 12s. 6d. a week, and pay them 15s. to 24s. a week and teach them a trade?
§ Sir R. HORNEThe number of women and girls drawing out-of-work donation on the 28th March and possibly suitable for the dressmaking trade was 3,663, including156 girls under eighteen, but I am unable to say what proportion of these had previously been employed in the trade. The corresponding number of vacancies recorded on notifications from employers at the same date was 1,846. My information is that the women and girls whom the Exchanges have not succeeded in placing do not possess the qualifications required by the employers; but in view of the hon. Member's statement in the last part of the question I am making further inquiries.