§ Mr. ROSEasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make it clear that the disinclination of the naval authorities to employ members of the Women's Royal Naval Service upon the clerical work in connection with demobilisation is in no way a reflection upon their efficiency or ability, similar work having been done 1164W by them in a very satisfactory manner, but is merely due to the considered policy of the Admiralty; and whether, now these women are being encouraged to ask for their demobilisation, he will consider the advisability of some public statement being made in recognition of the valuable services these women have performed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI can assure my hon. Friend that there is no such disinclination on the part of the Admiralty, as he suggests. In fact, the Board of Admiralty has expressed its high appreciation of the services rendered by the Women's Royal Naval Service. Perhaps I may quote from the Admiralty Order
The Board desire to take this opportunity of placing on record their high appreciation of the work which this corps has accomplished. The Women's Royal Naval Service was brought into being at a time of great national emergency, when it was necessary to release every man that could be spared for the active fighting forces. The rapidity with which the corps was organised to this end and brought to a high state of efficiency constitutes a remarkable achievement and one that reflects the great possible credit on the director and her officers and ratings.All who have come in contact with the Women's Royal Naval Service have been impressed by their discipline, zeal, and esprit de corps, and the Royal Navy has felt justly proud of the women's service which the greatest war of all times called into being to work with it for the common end.