asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to ensure that the provisions made by law for the reinstatement in their pre-war employment, or compensation in lieu thereof, where reinstatement is not possible, at present applicable only to men called up for military service, are extended to include women?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Holland with Boston (Lieutenant Butcher) on 9th October, 1941.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his predecessor in office was urged from all sides of the House to provide this legal protection for men, and can he say what reason there is for not providing the protection, for what it is worth, to women?

For the very reason given in my hon. Friend's last phrase—"for what it is worth." The scheme of transfer and removal of people has gone so far and over such a wide area, and some employers have had to engage four, five and six people for a place one after the other, that they cannot reinstate the whole six. Therefore, to reduce it to a piece of legislation of the character suggested would, in my view, be misleading and would cause difficulties at the end of the war. The Government are, therefore, considering means by a different device of accepting a token obligation from these people.

Are the difficulties in regard to the reinstatement of women in principle greater than those with regard to the reinstatement of men?

I cannot say.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.