§ 69. Mr. HUNTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the London Liberal Members petitioned the late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman not to oppose the Aliens Bill because the importation of aliens lowered wages and made the conditions of life worse for our own people, he can now say whether, owing to the present administration of the Act, aliens still come into this country in sufficient numbers to keep down wages in some trades and to drive our own people out of their employment?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHIt is possible that the immigration of aliens may tend to lower wages in certain industries, but I have no definite evidence to support this view. In any case, the administration of the Act would not be responsible as the Act does not provide for the exclusion of aliens on this ground.
§ Mr. HUNTDoes not the present administration of the Act make it very much easier for aliens to come in, and is it not a known fact that aliens work for less wages and under worse conditions than in this country?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHMy answer covered that question. The effect on wages depends upon a number of facts, among them the number of aliens who come in and the state of the labour market in the particular industry in which they are engaged.
§ Mr. J. WARDIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Bill referred to passed this House unanimously, and was defeated by the hon. Member's Friends in the House of Lords?