Part of the debate – in the House of Commons am ar 15 Gorffennaf 1925.
I beg to move, in page 25, line 40, after the word "referees," to insert the words, "of whom at least one shall be a woman."
I do not want to spring a bombshell upon the right hon. Gentleman, and I hope that he will find it possible to accept this Amendment. He will realise that these referees will often have to decide very difficult and delicate questions relating to the claims that will come before them, and that the women that they will have to consider will be women who have just passed through a very terrible period in their lives. I am sure the Minister will agree that it will be much better if, when these women come before the referees, there is at least one woman who would be able to deal with them and take up their case. I think the right hon. Gentleman will agree that this is becoming part of our general practice where women's cases are to be dealt with. I want to ask the right, hon. Gentleman whether he can see his way to accept the Amendment.