§ 81. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Minister of Labour how many permits he has issued in the last six months for the immigration of alien waiters; and on what grounds he has assented to the applications?
§ Mr. BETTERTONAs the reply is rather long, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESMay I point out that in the first part of this question —[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"] On a point of Order. May I point out that the first part of this question only requires one figure as an answer? May I have that?
§ Mr. BETTERTONYes, I will give that figure to the hon. Member. It is 84. As 1700 to the second part of the question the answer will be found fully set out in the answer which I propose to circulate.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESArising out of the answer to that portion of the question, were any part of these 84 admitted in order to serve the British Empire Exhibition?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe answer to that is given in the second part of the answer to which I have referred. [HON. MEMBERS: "Read it!"]
§ Mr. KIRKWOODTake us into your confidence!
§ Mr. BETTERTONI will certainly read it if the hon. Member wishes it to be read. [HON. MEMBERS: "Circulate it!"]
§ Following is the reply:
§ From the 1st January last to date 84 permits have been issued in respect of alien waiters in the following circumstances:
| On condition that facilities were provided for an equal number of British subjects to obtain Continental experience. (Short period permits—generally for six months) | 33 |
| Under an agreement with the Swiss Government whereby similar opportunities are provided for British subjects in Swiss hotels. (All permits for maximum period of 12 months) | 5 |
| To replace other alien waiters who had returned to the Continent | 4 |
| To augment the supply of trained labour for the Empire Exhibition, Wembley, on condition that seven waiters were obtained in this country for each additional waiter from abroad. (Permits for six months only) | 40 |
| Specially trained men as "head waiters" for a new French restaurant, the other members of the staff of waiters being found in this country | 2 |
| Total | 84 |
§ 83. Mr. N. MACLEANasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that at the Central Station Hotel and the Gleneagles Hotel, both owned by the 1701 London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company, British waiters, some of them ex-service men, are being dismissed and their places filled by foreign waiters, and that there are over 150 British male waiters idle in Glasgow; and whether he can state what, if any, action he will take?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am not aware of the circumstances mentioned, but I will have inquiries made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.