§ Sir E. Makinsasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that complaints still exist as to the lack of tact and politeness on the part of juvenile members of employment exchange staffs in handling women of experience and knowledge who come for interviews; and whether, in view of the calling-up of women of 45 years of age, he will advise greater care?
§ Mr. BevinThe number of complaints received concerning women members of the staff who are engaged on interviewing work is exceedingly small in relation to the number of women interviewed. This, I think, indicates that the Department's staff are alive to the need for handling the public with tact and politeness. My hon. Friend may be assured that this is my desire and that no effort will be spared to ensure that the older women who have now registered will be treated with sympathy and understanding. As I have previously informed the House it is the general policy of the Department to employ older women on interviewing work and at September last, the latest day for which figures have been extracted, 89 per cent. of the officers engaged on this work were over 30 years of age.