§ 75. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Minister of National Service whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists amongst traders, especially in view of the extension of the military age, at the number of aliens, both enemy and neutral, who are still at large and who are seizing the opportunity to increase their business at the expense of British traders who are being called up; and, seeing that the Government have stated that steps should be taken to see that neutral alien traders of military age should be required to take up work of national importance, will he say what steps, if any, have been taken to carry out this undertaking?
§ Mr. BECKI have observed that the question of the status of aliens in this country has been the subject of criticism from various points of view. With regard to enemy alien traders, I cannot do better than refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 13th May last.
With regard to neutral traders, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Ludlow on 2nd May and to that given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for South Manchester on Tuesday last; 513 and I might remind him that my Department has recently been enabled, by means of the Retail Business (Licensing) Order, 1918, to control the commencement of new businesses, and thus to afford considerable protection against any attempts to annex the businesses of men called up.
I am not aware of the statement referred to in the last part of the question, and the hon. Member will appreciate the obvious difficulties and risks which the course suggested would involve; but with regard to alien workmen, I would draw his attention to the provisions of Article 22C of the Aliens Restriction (Consolidation) Order, which enables the Minister of National Service to exercise control over the employment of aliens in the less essential industries and to the Schedule of which additions have recently been made. With regard to enemy aliens, arrangements have been put into operation under which, so far as possible, any who are physically capable of undertaking work of national importance, must cither undertake such work or be interned. It is, however, difficult to persuade employers to make use of these men's services for reasons which are obvious.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSHave any of these aliens been put to national work, and, if not, how many have been interned?
§ Mr. BECKI must have notice of that question. It is extremely difficult to obtain employment for aliens, as employers do not like them; and if we take any action which results in their being employed, then we are asked why do we employ aliens.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs it the fact that the Department have done nothing whatever to tackle this subject?