Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Pensions how many women have been dismissed from his Department since the Armistice; how many are at present employed; and on what principle-dismissals have recently been taking place?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am unable to state the exact number of dismissals since the Armistice, but during the last three months 806 women have been dismissed or have resigned. The dismissals at headquarters have been on the ground of inefficiency, but in the Regions a few have been discharged to make room 1651W for ex-Service men. The principle which is at present being acted upon is to reserve Pension Issue Office for women and to fill the vacancies in that office by the transfer of women from other branches, the vacancies in those branches being in turn filled by ex-Service men. The present number of the female clerical staff is 10,024, and the total female staff 13,637.