§ Mr. ROSEasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that there exists keen dissatisfaction in the factory inspectorate of his Department owing to the promotion of women inspectors of short service, three to five years, over the heads of men of from 10 to 15 or more years; that men inspectors are being forced to serve under the orders of women inspectors of less seniority and obviously less technical training and experience; and will he inquire into the matter, in view of the fact that such procedure is calculated to lessen the general usefulness and capacity of the inspectorate as a whole?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am not aware of any serious dissatisfaction. It is not the case, apart from one or two inspectors who are considered to be unsuitable or 2093W not yet qualified for promotion, that any men inspectors have been passed over by women with only a few years' service. Under the scheme for the reorganisation of the Factory Department, which was approved last year and of which particulars have been published, the men's and women's branches, which have hitherto been separate, are being amalgamated; and some additional higher posts (in substitution for some of the special women's posts which have been abolished) have been created to enable the experienced senior women inspectors to take their due share in the responsible duties of the Department and to provide for the necessary supervision of the work in regard to matters specially affecting women. The arrangements for bringing the scheme into operation have been most carefully worked out and the merits of all officers fully considered. I may add that the scheme confers great benefits in the way both of improved scales of salary and of more rapid promotion on men and women inspectors alike, and in my opinion will increase the efficiency and usefulness of the inspectorate.