asked the Minister of Supply whether he will state the number of first-aid posts available at the factory in the North-West of England, the name of which has been communicated to him; and whether each post is adequately staffed and is supplied with a complete outfit?

I am satisfied that there are sufficient first-aid posts at this factory, but it would not be in the public interest to disclose the details. Each post is adequately staffed and supplied with a complete outfit. In addition there is a fully equipped surgery, staffed day and night.

Is the Minister aware that the workers of this factory are under the suspicion that the provision made is inadequate to meet an emergency, and will he take steps to make known to the workers of the factory that the shelter provision is adequate to meet an emergency?

Yes, Sir. I am very sorry there is any such opinion. I will cause the facts in the answer to be known in the factory and do what I can to allay that unjustifiable thought.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will state the number of women employed on night work at a factory in the North-West of England, the name of which has been communicated to him; the nature of the work they are doing; the rate of wages they receive; and the number of hours they are employed each night?

It would not be in the public interest to publish the information asked for in the first two parts of the hon. Member's Question. As regards the third and fourth parts, the night shift is one of 10 hours and the earnings of the Majority of the women concerned are at present 56s. a week.

Can the Minister say why thousands of women are employed at this factory on a night shift in an area where there are thousands of unemployed and able-bodied men? Can it be that the question of wages is the reason for the women's employment?

No, Sir, the wages have been fixed in agreement with the trade unions and all the employment conditions in regard to this factory. This particular type of work is one for which women munition workers have before been prominently recruited. I think the hon. Member is in excess in mentioning the number employed, but I do not want to give any figure, of course, which will indicate the size of the factory.

Viscountess Astor:

Does not the Minister think that in the long run, if he has such long hours for women, and, indeed, even for men, that production will fall? Would it not be better to have an eight-hour production system?

I am always willing to consider what is the best shift for an appropriate production output. I have been advised that 10 hours is an agreed period, but I will make inquiries.