§ Mr. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that if a more sympathetic attitude were adopted by women interviewing girls for National Service at the employment exchanges better results would be achieved and less friction caused; and what steps is he proposing to take so that girls may be encouraged instead of disheartened at their interviews?
§ Mr. BevinI do not accept my hon. Friend's statement that girls are disheartened because of their interviews at employment exchanges. The instructions issued for the guidance of the interviewing officers have made it clear that the aim of the interviewers should be to establish an atmosphere of mutual confidence and that doubts and difficulties should be listehed to patiently and given full consideration. I have every reason to believe that in the difficult duties which the women officers are called upon to undertake, these instructions are being followed. The Women's Consultative Committee which advises me on women's questions have recently expressed their appreciation of the work of the women officers who have been so largely responsible for the smoothness with which the call-up of women is being made.