§ 72. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Heinrich Such, musical director, at the West End Cinema, Birmingham; whether he is aware that, despite the number of English musicians out of employment, this gentleman from Hamburg received permission in May last to remain in England for a further six months; and whether he will exclude aliens seeking employment in this country during the depression in industry and the large volume of unemployment?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)The provision in the Aliens Order that an alien shall 1285 not come to this country to take employment without a permit from the Ministry of Labour is especially designed to meet the point referred to in the last part of the hon. Member's question, and such permits are only issued by the Ministry after careful examination of each individual case. In the case of Heinrich Such, an employment permit was granted by the Ministry of Labour in August last, and renewed recently for a further period of six months. In view of this extension, the Home Office extended for a corresponding period the time of his stay in this country.
§ Colonel DAYWill the hon. Gentleman consider, before these permits are renewed, the fact that they are keeping our own people out of work, and not renew them, so that our own men may have an opportunity of getting employment?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONBefore settling this matter, the Ministry of Labour very carefully considered the question, and issued the permit.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that there is now a general desire on the part of the public to hear this musician?