HC Deb 15 April 1930 vol 237 cc2746-8W
Mr. MOSES

asked the Minister of Labour the number of females now em- ployed at the Salisbury Plain Canteen; are any arrangements being made that in future only male labour shall be employed; and will she order that female labour shall not be deprived of their unemployment insurance benefit for objecting to this kind of work, especially in view of the fact that young women residing in the Salisbury district are not offered similar employment as a condition of receiving their unemployment insurance benefit?

Miss BONDFIELD

In regard to the first two parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the War Office to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Mr. Kelly) on 3rd February, of which I am sending him a copy. In regard to the last part, I have no power to issue orders of the kind suggested.

Mr. SHEPHERD

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women and girls who have been disallowed unemployment benefit at Darlington Employment Exchange during the last 12 months because of refusal to enter the employment of the Army, Navy and Air Force Canteen Board at Catterick camp?

Miss BONDFIELD

The number of persons whose claims for benefit were disallowed in the circumstances described was 15.

Mr. C. WILSON

asked the Minister of Labour whether she is aware that girls are being refused unemployment pay if they decline to take work in the Army canteens; and if she will inform the House what are the conditions in regard to hours, lodgings, and pay under which girls are employed in Army canteens?

Miss BONDFIELD

Refusal of employment entails loss of benefit only where the employment is held by the statutory authorities to be suitable. The conditions of service and rates of pay in the Navy, Army and Air Force canteens are set out in a leaflet issued by the Board of Management, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

Mr. KELLY

asked the Minister of Labour the number of women who have been placed by her Department in work at Army canteens in the Salisbury district during the last three months?

Miss BONDFIELD

The number of women submitted through the agency of the Employment Exchanges who are understood to have been employed by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes at canteens in the Salisbury district during the three months ended 31st March is 10.