asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what arrangements, if any, were made for the absorption into civilian clerical employment of a temporary nature, in his Department, of women demobilised from His Majesty's Forces (clerical units overseas or at home) from 1918 to October, 1920?

On the demobilisation of women from His Majesty's Forces a number of women (Women's Royal Naval Service) were employed in the Admiralty and their employment was continued on a civilian basis. This continuation was confined to services approaching completion.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the number of women employed on the clerical staff of the Admiralty in 1918, he includes those employed in industrial establishments or other out-stations; and, if not, what was the additional number thus employed?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. 3,205 women (other than industrials) were employed at the out-port establishments on the 11th November, 1918, but it is not possible to say how many of these were employed on clerical duties.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements were made through his Department, if any, for the absorption of unemployed ex-service women clerks into the temporary Civil Service since October, 1920; and what was the number of unemployed ex-service women clerks registered at Labour Exchanges in October, 1920 and 1921, respectively?

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements were made through his Department, if any, for the absorption of ex-service women demobilised from the forces from 1918 to October, 1920, into posts in the temporary Civil Service?

Preferential treatment for ex-service women, in recruiting staff for temporary employment in Government Departments, was not specifically considered until September, 1920, when Lord Lytton's Committee on the appointment of ex-service men to the Civil Service recommended that the preferential treatment accorded to ex-service men should be extended to ex-service women. Action has been taken in accordance with this recommendation since that date. Statistics are not available as to the number of ex-service women clerks registered as unemployed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will furnish a Return of the cost of the Board of Control for the year 1922, including salaries, expenditure of office staff, and travelling expenses?

The total gross cost of the Board of Control for the financial year 1922–23 was approximately £470,236, less appropriations-in-aid (fees for licences, etc.) £7,756. The gross cost includes grants-in-aid to local authorities and voluntary institutions £408,791, cost of State institutions for mental defectives £26,795, salaries and expenses, etc., of head office staff £34,650.

Would not the work be carried out more economically, and with greater efficiency, if it were transferred to the right hon. Gentleman's own Ministry?

The control is attached to my Ministry now.

asked the Minister of Health what were the respective salaries of the men and women inspectors of all grades of the Insurance Department when they were appointed in 1912; what are their respective salaries now; and in what respect the work as between the men and women has varied since 1912?

With permission, I will circulate the details as to the salaries of the men and women inspectors