§ Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that 433W at Somerset House and other places there are over 200 women known as female tellers, whose work consists in checking Treasury notes, British and Indian stamps, and who are in many cases performing work formerly done by men; whether he is aware that the pay of these women ranges from 8s. to 20s. a week, and that they are unestablished and get no sick pay; whether he is aware that for months past memorials for higher pay have been under consideration, but that no reply has been vouchsafed; and whether he will take immediate steps to inquire into the matter?
§ Mr. BALDWINFemale tellers at Somerset House are engaged at the ages of fourteen and upwards, and of the total staff of 200 employed more than half are girls under nineteen. The rate of pay is 10s. to 22s. a week, including war bonus, except that the earnings of women on Currency Note work may exceed this maximum and reach in some cases 27s. A certain number of women are replacing men, and the question of granting an increase of pay for superior work is at present under consideration.