Mr. ERSKINEasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the scarcity of female domestic help, he can see his way to so tighten up the Regulations relating to unemployed benefit as to preclude any able-bodied young woman from drawing the same on the ground of unsuitability for indoor service?
Mr. BETTERTON: If domestic service appears to be suitable employment for a female claimant, having regard to her previous industrial experience, such employment is already offered to her. If she refuses it her claim is referred to the Insurance officer, who is one of the statutory authorities for giving a decision. He takes into account all the circumstances of the case. On the other hand, the hon. Member will, of course, recollect that nearly one-third of the women on the registers of the Employment Exchanges are unemployed operatives in the textile trades.