§ Captain AINSWORTHasked the Pensions Minister how many women are at present employed in the Department of the Ministry of Pensions; and whether, in view of the large amount of unemployment amongst ex-Service men, it is his intention to supersede the women employés by the substitution of ex-Service men?
§ Sir J. CRAIGThe total number of women at present employed by the Ministry of Pensions is 13,637. Of this number 1,591 are employed on nursing and other duties in hospitals and institutions, 683 are typists, and 1,339 are part-time cleaners or juveniles under eighteen, leaving 10,024 as the number of the female clerical staff. So far as the nature of the work permits, it is the policy of the Ministry to employ ex-Service men, and also women dependants of deceased or disabled men. Employment has already been found in the Ministry for 5,261 ex-Service men, of whom 1,899 have been disabled in the War.