HC Deb 07 August 1941 vol 373 cc2104-5W
Sir P. Hannon

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to call attention to the importance of providing in workshops and factories welfare supervision of female trainees and women workers; and whether he is satisfied that in munitions production welfare organisation is receiving the attention it deserves at the instance of employers and trade union representatives?

Mr. Bevin

I am constantly urging in various ways the importance of proper personnel management and supervision of the welfare of factory workers, and this was particularly stressed in a leaflet, widely issued this year, in which I made a number of suggestions addressed especially to firms who had not previously employed women operators. In the case of the larger factories the need for appointing special supervisory officers is impressed on the firms by factory inspectors wherever appropriate, and the number of such appointments is steadily increasing. While there is still a good deal more to be done in this matter, I am satisfied that both employers and trade union representatives are more and more coming to appreciate its importance.