§ Captain CARR-GOMMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will take steps to increase the number of recruiting officers in the London area so as to enable each individual officer to have one half-day off duty in each week, in view of the fact that these officers, who are over age and unfit, have sometimes to work for twelve or fourteen hours a day?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThere are approximately 220 officers employed in London, exclusive of the. War Office in the2302W various sub-area and munition area recruiting offices and substitution offices. The work is admittedly heavy, but with the exception of supplying an extra officer, when asked for, it is doubtful if the total number can be increased with advantage, as the duties cannot be further distributed without creating congestion.
§ Captain CARR-GOMMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the male civilian staff employed by the recruiting officers are not paid for overtime work, whereas the female staff is paid for overtime work; and whether he will take steps to remedy this inequality?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Bermondsey on the 30th April last, the rates of pay of the male staff in recruiting offices are inclusive rates calculated to cover all time worked. As regards the female staff, it is considered preferable to limit the normal hours to forty-two hours a week, and to pay overtime when extra attendance is found necessary.