§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Labour the principle upon which he proposes to make grants for the acquisition and equipment of suitable buildings for clubs for women munition workers in industrial areas; how many such clubs are in operation and how many projected; and if he is receiving cordial support from local authorities and manufacturers in support of this work?
§ Mr. BevinMy Department makes grants to assist voluntary organisations to provide new or extended club facilities to meet the special needs of war workers, whether men or women, especially those who have been transferred away from their home towns. Each case is judged on its merits among the factors which are considered being the possibility of obtaining premises and equipment without prejudice to the immediate needs of war production and the measure of voluntary support forthcoming from local employers and other sources. Apart from clubs which are grant-aided in this way—and they form, of course, only a small proportion of the whole—I have no figures of the number of clubs for women munition workers in operation or projected. The welfare staff of my Department are in constant touch with voluntary organisations in all places where improved club facilities are needed and I am receiving cordial support from all concerned in the matter.