§ Sir L. Lyleasked the Minister of Labour whether he has any statistics showing the number of women now employed and unemployed, respectively, who might be utilised for urgent national work; what co-ordination exists between the different Departments in appealing for such female labour; and whether the War Office will draw its demand for 20,000 more Auxiliary Territorial Service women from the same sources as the munition factories?
§ Mr. BevinThe general statistics already available need to be supplemented by machinery for the selection of individuals; this will be effected, so far as necessary, by a system of registration applying to women as well as men. Furthermore, the various industries concerned have been invited to prepare proposals which will ensure the orderly release of workers as and when they are required. Vacancies in Government establishments and in undertakings covered by the Restriction on Engagement Order are filled through the Employment Exchange Service. My Department is therefore in a position to co-ordinate such demands. With regard to the third part of the Question, my Department is in close touch with the War Office with a view to coordinating the supply of women for the Auxiliary Territorial Service with that for munitions work.