§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Minister of Labour what number of single women and married women, respectively, are now in receipt of uncovenanted benefit, and how many of the former are under the age of 17; and whether he can state the number of unfilled vacancies for domestic servants now on the books of the Employment Exchanges throughout the country?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDStatistics are not available as regards the age or marital state of claimants to benefit, or of the nature of benefit authorised in respect of any recent date. The number of vacancies for women domestic servants notified to Employment Exchanges in Great Britain and remaining unfilled at 7th December—the latest date for which figures are available—was 4,594.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the total aggregate yearly cost of the Ministry of Labour colleges for domestic servants in London and the provinces, 1048W respectively; and the probable amount to be realised by the sale of the buildings?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo colleges for domestic servants are conducted by my Department. The Central Committee for Women's Training and Employment conduct a certain number of short courses designed to fit unemployed women for domestic service. The total net cost during the calendar year 1925 was £103,163, of which about £6,700 was spent on courses in London. As regards the last part of the question the only charges for buildings incurred by the Committee are certain small sums for hirings.