§ Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that the temporary women clerks employed by the War Office work forty-eight hours a week for 25s., instead of the forty-two which is the practice in other Departments, and that, with overtime, their hours are from nine till seven every day, including Saturdays, whether, in order to preserve their health and to increase their capacity for work, he will consider the advisability of giving them one half-holiday a week, without loss of pay, as is done in the Ministry of Munitions; and, if not, why this step is not to be taken?
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§ Mr. FORSTERThe hours of work of the temporary women clerks employed in the War Office vary according to the branch in which they are serving and are by no means always as long as the Noble Lord suggests. Pressure of work and the needs of public business prevent the grant of a general half-holiday, but every endeavour is and will be made to secure such a grant when possible.
§ Colonel Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKasked the Secretary of State for War by what method temporary women clerks in the War Office are judged to be entitled to receive 30s. a week as the result of a satisfactory probation, whether by length of service, by examination, or on a report by their superior officers; and whether he will give the numbers still employed by the War Office who have failed to pass this test?
§ Mr. FORSTERAdvancement to the rate of 30s. a week is made on the recommendation of the head of the branch in which the clerk is serving. I do not think that it would serve any good purpose to state the numbers still employed in the War Office who have been judged ineligible to receive a higher rate.