Working Women (Children)

Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Labour – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 21 February 1966.

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Photo of Mrs Renée Short Mrs Renée Short , Wolverhampton North East 12:00, 21 February 1966

asked the Minister of Labour how many working women there are with children under five years of age; and what hours they work.

Photo of Mr Ernest Thornton Mr Ernest Thornton , Farnworth

The latest information is for 1962 when there were very approximately half a million working married women who had children under five. Of these, roughly 150,000 were working 10 hours or less a week, their average hours being about six. No information is available about the average hours of the remaining 350,000 or so married women who were working over 10 hours a week.

Photo of Mrs Renée Short Mrs Renée Short , Wolverhampton North East

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he accepts that it is necessary to get accurate and up-to-date information in order to assess the health and educational requirements of small children whose mothers are working? Would he not undertake a research project in his Department to find up-to-date information?

Photo of Mr Ernest Thornton Mr Ernest Thornton , Farnworth

Yes. I agree that the information is very meagre, and we will certainly do what we can to get fuller and more up-to-date information.