§ 102. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Labour what was the largest number of women in the working population at any time between 1st September, 1939, and 8th May, 1945; what is the largest number ever known to have been employed in peace-time; and how these 297W figures compare with the numbers of women employed and of unfilled vacancies for women at the present time.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe largest number of women in the total working population during the war was approximately 7¼ million at September, 1943. This figure related to those aged 14 and under 60 and excluded private domestic servants; part-time workers were counted as half-units. The present series of man-power statistics includes all those gainfully occupied aged 15 years and over and part-time workers are counted as full units. At the end of September this year the number of women in the total working population was approximately 7,450,000, which is the highest known figure in peace-time. The number of vacancies for women notified to employment exchanges and remaining unfilled at 24th October was 126,500.