§ Mr. Simmondsasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the number of domestic workers who have left the hospitals, with the result that skilled nursing staff need to spend much time on domestic duties; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the further depletion of domestic staff in hospitals and to ensure the replacement of those domestic workers who have left the hospitals?
§ Mr. BevinI am in close consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland as to the steps necessary to ensure an adequate supply of domestic staff to hospitals. I have made it clear that I regard such work as of great national importance and that women in72W such work will be reserved from calling-up under the National Service Acts. This work will also be included in the specified list of jobs to which women in the conscribed ages may be directed. Other suitable women will also be directed to this work as may be necessary.