§ 34. Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why fully qualified auxiliary nursing sisters in Hong Kong, who were given a contract for the duration of the war, are only receiving three months' pay for the period of their internment; and whether, in view of this contract, he will see that they receive their full pay.
Mr. Creech JonesThree months salary is the minimum amount paid to women members of the Civil Defence Services in Hong Kong who were not normally dependent on their earnings. Where a woman can show that she was so dependent—and this would include the case of a nurse who was in private employment before joining the Auxiliary Nursing Service—an application for more liberal treatment would receive consideration. I was not previously aware that these persons were given contracts of service for the duration of the war, but I am advised that temporary engagements of this nature must be regarded as having been terminated on the Japanese occupation.