HC Deb 04 August 1924 vol 176 cc2507-8
37. Major DUDGEON

asked the Minister of Labour the number of alien waiters employed within the area of Greater London, and the number of waiters of British nationality within such area who are registered at Employment Exchanges as being out of employment?

Miss BONDFIELD

I regret that the information requested by the hon. and gallant Member is not available The hon. and gallant Member will remember that, in reply to a question on 4th June by the hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Kingston-upon-Hull (Mr. Lumley), it was stated that, according to the 1921 Census, there were 3,536 foreign waiters in England and Wales, and 100 foreign or naturalised waiters in Scotland.

Mr. HOGGE

Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us of any restaurant in London of which she has personal knowledge where there are no alien waiters?

Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

The Parliamentary Secretary has told us that she regretted that no information was available, but surely the Department exists in order to provide such information?

Miss BONDFIELD

In reply to the last supplementary question, may I say that, to get out these specific statistics would mean a very great deal of work for a staff that is already overworked, and the Minister does not feel that it is incumbent upon him to call for this particular Return at this particular juncture.

Mr. LORIMER

Would it not be better to have British employed instead of aliens, and would it not, therefore, be of great advantage to have these details?

Mr. B. SMITH

Is it not a fact that the restaurants used mostly by hon. Gentlemen opposite are crowded with alien waiters?

Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

On a point of Order. Is it in order for an hon. Member to make an imputation of that kind?

Mr. SPEAKER

No; it was quite uncalled for.