§ Sir H. NIELDasked the Secretary to the Treasury how many women are now in the employment of the Government doing clerical and other work which could be performed by discharged and partially disabled men; what reductions have been made during the last three months in the female staffs of Government Departments; and what further reductions are in contemplation?
§ Mr. BALDWINAs stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Dulwich on the 4th instant, the total number of women and girls employed in civil Departments on the 11th November, 1918, was 220,000, and on the 1st July, 1919, was 170,000. No figures are readily available of the precise reductions made during the past three months nor can any reliable estimate be formed as to future reductions, but it will be seen that the reduction between the 11th November, 1918, and the 1st July last was 50,000, and every effort is being made to secure further reductions. I cannot say what proportion of these women are engaged on work which could be performed by discharged and partially disabled men, but the whole question of the employment of such men in the Government service has been inquired into by a Special Committee appointed by the Minister of Labour, whose Report is at present under consideration.