§ Mr. McGovernasked the Minister of Labour the number of girls between 20 and 30 years of age, residing in Glasgow, who have been ordered to proceed to England to engage on war work; whether he is aware that members of hardship committees have frequently asked girls when producing medical evidence as to the meaning of certain diseases of the applicant or of her mother; and when he intends to have medical men for the purpose of advising hardship committees on such vital matters, as decisions arrived at without real knowledge are unjust?
§ Mr. Bevin1,787 women between the ages of 20 and 30 inclusive have been 1775W transferred from Glasgow to industrial work in England. Of these, 874 were within the classes called up under the National Service Acts and having expressed a preference for industry, received formal directions from the National Service Officer as an alternative to enrolment in the Forces. The remaining 913 were transferred after interview under the Registration for Employment Order and of these only 31 were women who received final directions after having appealed unsuccessfully to the local appeal board. As regards the second part of the Question, I am not aware that cases of this kind have arisen but in order to make the position clear I am issuing instructions that if any Military Service (Hardship) Committee has difficulty in interpreting a medical certificate it shall be at liberty to adjourn the case so that the Regional Medical Officer may be consulted.