§ 35. Sir HERBERT NIELDasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the 1087 number of applications for permits to admit of foreign subjects coming to this country awaiting the attention of the Committee constituted at 28, Broadway, Westminster, and the average number of cases per day taken by the Committee at its meetings, held twice a week; whether, considering the importance of more speedy action than that hitherto exhibited, he will arrange for daily sittings throughout the week and extending to five hours per day, and that the Committee should sit in sections to overcome arrears and to keep abreast of its work; whether he will invite the co-operation of chambers of commerce and other commercial associations to nominate representatives to sit on the Committee; and whether, as the collection and examination of information are the primary objects of the Committee, he will direct that British Consuls abroad should, on the receipt of applications for the viséof passports, communicate the same to the Committee accompanied with their observations as to the granting or withholding thereof?
§ Sir R. HORNEThere is no foundation for the suggestion in my hon. Friend's question that the work of the Committee to which he refers is now in arrear. The number of applications at present waiting for consideration by the Committee is sixty-one. The Committee has dealt with a very large number of cases and is abreast of its work. As the principal object of the Committee is to consider the effect of the grant of such applications upon British labour in the country, it is not thought that the suggestions contained in the third and fourth part of the question would expedite the Committee's work.