§ 52. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether he will make it a condition of all Government contracts that the contractors shall not employ any enemy alien labour and that a similar condition shall be inserted by such contractors in any sub-contracts they may make?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt would not, I think, be possible to lay down a hard and fast rule, such as is suggested in the question, without full inquiry. The matter will be considered in detail.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIn view of the fact that nearly a million people in this country are, at enormous expense, receiving out-of-work donations, is it not desirable to prevent the employment by the Government of any enemy alien?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, Sir, it certainly is desirable to employ our own people where possible; but I think my hon. and learned Friend will see, as well as anyone, that to exclude altogether enemy aliens would be almost an impossibility, in view of the fact, for instance, that some British women are called enemy aliens because they happen to have married enemy aliens.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my right hon. Friend confine the employment of these enemy aliens to the British wives?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe are examining the matter in detail to see in what way that can be done; but my hon. and learned Friend will see that there are other cases, in addition to the one I have named, where there would be great hardship.