WOMEN'S VOLUNTARY SERVICES.

HC Deb 13 July 1938 vol 338 cc1340-2W

Sir N. Grattan-Doyle

asked the Home Secretary for what particular services women are being invited to enrol in the women's voluntary services as cooks and waitresses?

Sir S. Hoare

The need for the recruitment of cooks and waitresses arises in connection with the provision of catering facilities for members of first-aid posts and other air-raid precautions depots, and in connection with hospital services.

Sir N. Grattan-Doyle

asked the Home Secretary whether the cost of the Women's Voluntary Services will be met out of public moneys; and, if so, out of what Vote?

Sir S. Hoare

The Women's Voluntary Services is being run on a voluntary basis, except for the cost of a small organising staff and some of the necessary clerical assistance at headquarters and in the 13 regions. This cost will be met from the Home Office Vote. The cost of headquarters and regional office premises where they have to be provided will fall on the Office of Works Vote, and the cost of printing and stationery on the Stationery Office Vote.

Sir N. Grattan-Doyle

asked the Home Secretary whether any women's organisations are barred from offering to cooperate with the Women's Voluntary Services; and, if so, whether he will state from what classes of women's organisations it is not intended to seek co-operation?

Sir S. Hoare

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part therefore does not arise.

Sir N. Grattan-Doyle

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether members of the Women's Voluntary Services will be under the orders of local authorities in connection with air-raid precautions or of their own officers;

(2) whether individual women will be invited to enrol in the Women's Voluntary Services, or whether it is intended that enrolments shall be confined to women's organisations co-operating with the Women's Voluntary Services?

Sir S. Hoare

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for giving me the opportunity of making clear the points which he raises. Women's Voluntary Services have as their aim to stimulate interest amongst women generally in air-raid precautions work, and in co-operation with the local authorities to enrol women for the air-raid precautions services of these authorities. Such women will become members of the local authorities' service and will be under the orders of the appropriate officers of the local authorities. There is no intention of limiting such enrolment in the air-raid precautions service to members of the women's organisations who are co-operating with Women's Voluntary Services.