§ Mr. AMMONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of women temporary employés in the Ministry of Labour Employment Exchanges are under notice of dismissal; and whether he will consider the possibility of making special provision for them to sit for the examination with younger competitors for the established Civil Service, or whether, alternatively, provision could be made as in other Departments for special nomination for women who have rendered long and efficient service in order to enable them to pass on to the establishment?
Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of temporary women employés in his Department are threatened with dismissal in view of the advent into the service of an equivalent number of girls aged about 18 who have just passed the open examination; and whether, as most of the former members of staff are about 35 years of age and have been in the service for periods between five and 11 years, he will afford them some opportunity of sitting for examination with a view to securing permanent employment?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThese temporary women clerks have already been given what may fairly be regarded as an adequate opportunity of qualifying by examination for established appointments as writing assistants or clerks. As regards the last part of the question of the hon. Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon), I am not aware that temporary women clerks are appointed to permanent clerical posts by nomination in any other Department, and I do not think this method of appointment would meet the requirements of the Ministry of Labour.