asked the President of the Board of Education whether the policy of the York education committee in advertising for women teachers, with a specific ban on married women, has his approval; and whether, as it is likely under present conditions to lead to a lowering of teaching standards in that city, he will make representations to the York authority on the matter?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. In view of the shortage of teachers and the importance of making full use of the teaching power available, my right hon. Friend considers that any bar to the employment of married women teachers should be suspended at least for the period of the war, and this has been urged in a Circular issued by my Department to local education authorities last week. My right hon. Friend is communicating with the York education authority accordingly.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask whether he can say whether York is now the only education authority in the country that advertises such conditions?

Not without notice.

Why cannot mothers teach as well as spinsters?