HC Deb 06 May 1943 vol 389 cc317-8W
Mr. Mainwaring

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will consider amending the regulation that permits a woman, having opted for one of the Services, to change to industry but does not equally permit a change to one who has opted for industry;

(2) whether he will consider issuing an instruction that women having taken up industrial work and later, on medical advice, having to abandon their occupation, be permitted, on fulfilling the necessary standards, to join one of the Services?

Mr. Bevin

In deciding whether to permit women who have opted for industry or are employed in industry to transfer, on any grounds, to the Women's Services I must be guided by the relative urgency from time to time, of the demand for industry and the Services respectively. At the present time the needs of industry are very heavy and I am not therefore prepared to issue general instructions on the lines suggested.