§ Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Pensions whether Grade III men are being drafted from other sections into the 1237W Audit of Awards Department and substituted for highly-efficient women; and whether, in the interests of ex-service men and their dependants, he will inquire into the respective efficiency of the men and women employed in the Department before removing the latter?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAs a result of the acceptance of the recommendations of Lord Lytton's Committee as regards substitution of ex-service men for non-service personnel, carefully selected ex-service men are being appointed to replace the women at present employed on the Audit of Awards in the Ministry. The women are not being replaced until men have been properly trained in the work, and I have no reason to fear that the efficiency of these sections will be impaired by the change.