§ Mr. W. BROWNasked the Post-master-General if he is aware that the reorganisation of the clerical staff in telephone district managers' offices which took place in 1923, while providing approximate equality of men and women holding clerical officer posts, has caused a reduc- 670W tion in the number of men previously employed; and why he is now proceeding to reduce the ratio of men to women in clerical posts from equal proportions to a ratio of 2:3?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHI am aware of the process of increasing the proportion of women. The work in these offices is mostly of a routine accounting character; and has been regarded as affording a particularly favourable field for the extension of women's opportunities.