HC Deb 20 December 1938 vol 342 cc2704-5W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider extending the practice under which married women with special qualifications can be allowed to remain in the Civil Service, as the restriction of this permission to the highest grades only is regarded as unfair by other grades?

Captain Wallace

Applications from established women civil servants for retention on marriage are considered individually, whatever the grade of the woman concerned, under Regulations of 12th June, 1934. The Regulations, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, were made under Order in Council of 22nd July, 1920, and provide that an exception may be made to the Regulation requiring resignation on marriage in a case where the Head of the Department and the Treasury are satisfied after joint consideration that the employment in the public service of a married woman is advisable in the light of her special qualifications, or special experience in relation to the duties required of her, or of the special requirements of the Department in which she is serving. I do not think it would be in the public interest to modify these arrangements.

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