Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the demand for women to fill situations in domestic service; and will he take steps to ascertain the pre-War occupation of ex-service women registering for unemployment donation or pay in order that women who have had previous experience in domestic work may be placed in suitable domestic situations through the Labour Exchanges?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI am aware of the general shortage of domestic servants, and particularly of resident servants. It is part of the ordinary procedure of the Exchanges to ascertain the pre-service occupation of applicants for out-of-work donation. Ex-service women for whom suitable employment can be found in domestic service are not allowed to remain on donation. I should mention, however, that the total number of ex-service women in all occupations claiming donation on 5th November was no more than 923.