§ Mr. Treeasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the serious shortage of domestic labour in many hospitals throughout the country; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this shortage?
§ Mr. BevinI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 15th April, 1943, of which I am sending a copy.
§ Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of Labour whether he will extend the concession whereby farmers' daughters or domestic servants are reserved to permit farmers who have not got such help to obtain it?
§ Mr. BevinI have already given instructions that steps should be taken to assist farmers who apply to a local office of my Department for a domestic worker for a farm household where no member of that household might reasonably be expected to do the domestic work without interfering with other important war work, such as work on the farm. Whilst, in view of the general shortage of domestic workers, I cannot promise that in all cases the vacancies in question will be filled, my officers will do their utmost to help farmers in this matter.