HC Deb 15 June 1925 vol 185 cc14-5
40. Captain CROOKSHANK

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the caterers at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley are under any obligation to employ only British subjects as waiters and waitresses at the various restaurants; and what, if any, steps are taken to see that such obligations are carried out?

Mr. SAMUEL

I am informed by the British Empire Exhibition authorities that, although the caterers are not under any obligation to employ only British subjects as waiters and waitresses, the great majority of those so employed are in fact British subjects.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is it not a fact that all the waiters in the Garden Club are foreigners?

Mr. SAMUEL

I am not aware of that fact. The exhibition authorities, when making arrangements for 1925, were not in a position to impose conditions on the caterers. The trouble was to get caterers to undertake the work at all.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is this an insidious plan on the part of Zinovieff to introduce Bolshevism into this country?