§ Flight-Lieutenant Ethertonasked the Minister of Labour how many women is it estimated should have registered in their age groups so far; how many have actually done so; and how many have been called into war work?
§ Mr. AsshetonThere are means of ascertaining whether all the women due to register actually did so, but statistics of902W the numbers concerned are not available. As regards the second and third parts of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for North Edinburgh (Mr. Erskine Hill) on 20th November, 1941.
Miss Rathboneasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered extending the women's registration ages to cover girls of 19 and 18 years of age, seeing that, as compared with older age groups, these ages include a smaller proportion unavailable for war work owing 10 domestic responsibilities or because of being already engaged in responsible positions, and a larger proportion who have a knowledge of arithmetic, mathematics, natural science or other subjects useful in some of the war occupations for which women are specially needed at present?
§ Mr. AsshetonThis is a matter on which my right hon. Friend recently sought the advice of the women's Advisory Committee, and he hopes to make a statement on the subject next week.