asked the Minister of Labour how many officials, and at what cost to the State, are employed by the Ministry of Labour in connection with the placing of women in private domestic service and for the inspection of private houses where girls under 18 have been placed?

The placing of women in private domestic service is part of the work of women's departments of the Exchanges. No special staff is employed for this purpose. No officials are now, or ever have been, employed by the Ministry for the inspection of private houses. My hon. Friend may be interested to know that during the last 18 months the Employment Exchange officials have filled 284,000 vacancies for women, 190,000 of them being in domestic service, day and residential.

Is it not the case that there are inspectors who visit girls under 18, who are in domestic service in private houses?

Not from the Ministry of Labour. They have no right to do so. Besides there are no such officials.

Sir M.DOCKRELL:

How does the right hon. Gentleman prove that he has found places for these women?

A woman registers at the Exchange that she wants work. If there be a vacancy also registered, we call her attention to it. If she take the place, it is filled, that is all.

Thus you have proof that you have filled a vacancy?

Certainly.