§ Mr. SPOORasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the conditions of work of the girls in the Land Army, Women's Forestry Corps; whether he is aware that a number of these girls are employed in the woods at Trenholme, near Hutton Rudby, Yorkshire, from eight o'clock in the morning 256W till 4.30 for 25s. per week, that frequently they are kept working in bad weather until their clothes are wet through, that out of the 25s. they have to pay 17s. for billet and 3d. for insurance, that the food they get in their billets is insufficient to maintain their health and strength, and that the girls have no facilities for baths; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to providing better conditions for these girls?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have been asked to reply to this question. At the camp to which it is presumed the question refers about ten girls, mostly belonging to the Women's Forestry Corps, are working for a private employer. The girls are said to be happy and healthy, but a special inspection is being made, and any causes for complaint will be rectified as far as possible. I may add that since the Armistice these girls are being allowed to take their discharge should they wish, subject to a week's notice to their employer.