§ Mr. MONTAGUEasked the Postmaster-General why vacancies for 17 boys at the Post Office repair factories under the Controller, Stores Department, are to be filled by girls at a Cheaper rate of pay: will he take steps to see that the usual male labour is employed in future; and will he give an assurance that this encroachment on the male labour staff will not lead to further utilisation of female labour on work proper to males at the factories?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe object of the change is to reduce the number of boys in the Stores Department, where difficulty is experienced in absorbing the existing number as they reach adult age. No other change of the kind is at present in contemplation. The work which is being transferred is suitable for girls and has no educational value for boys. It is not proposed to employ female labour except on work which is appropriate to females.