asked the Minister of Labour what are the duties of the Ministry of Labour Publicity Officer now forming one of the British delegation attending the International Labour Office Conference in New York?

The Director of Public Relations, to whom I presume my hon. and gallant Friend means to refer, has functions similar to those of corresponding officers in other Departments. His knowledge and experience both in this country and the United States will be of the greatest assistance to the British delegation attending the International Labour Conference at New York.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there are any family reasons connected with the visit of this individual to the United States?

I would not give any permission for such a visit. My hon. and gallant Friend should have a better opinion of me than that.

Miss Cazalet:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider including the chief woman adviser to his Department, Miss Caroline Haslett, among the delegates who are to attend the International Labour Conference in New York?

No, Sir, this will not be possible. In order to avoid misunderstanding, I ought to point out that although Miss Haslett gives valuable assistance to my Department in connection with women's training and otherwise, she is not correctly described as chief woman adviser to my Department.

Miss Cazalet:

While apologising to my right hon. Friend for the mistake in my Question, may I ask him whether, in view of the immense importance of women's work at the present time, it would not be desirable and possible even now to include some responsible woman in an advisory capacity at this important Conference in New York?

I regret that it is not possible. This Conference is different from other International Labour Conferences. It has been the practice of the Ministry of Labour ever since the I.L.O. was established to encourage the sending of women to Geneva, both from the Department and from the Trades Union Congress. The special conditions associated with this Conference in New York make it impossible to send any more advisers.

Miss Cazalet:

Does my hon. Friend know whether the trade unions are sending a woman in an advisory capacity?

I do not know; probably they are.

Dots the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is the only delegation that does not include a woman, and in view of the big part taken by women in labour matters in Washington, will not this delegation cut a very poor figure if it does not include women?