§ 5. Mr. HANNONasked the Home Secretary what is the number of aliens in this country at present employed as waiters or waitresses, as hairdressers, as 1356 shop assistants, and as domestic servants; and whether there is any restriction as to the length of employment in this country of such aliens?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe volume of the Census Reports for 1921 dealing with "occupations" contains a summarised statement of the numbers of aliens then engaged in different occupations in England and Wales. I am afraid no later figures are available, and their extraction from the aliens registers would involve much time and labour. As regards the second part of the question, there is no restriction on the period for which an alien resident in this country may be employed; but, newcomers are not admitted for employment without a permit from the Minister of Labour, which, if granted, is usually for a limited period only.
§ Mr. TAYLORCan the right hon. Gentleman say how the percentage of aliens among these groups of workers compares with the percentage of aliens among the financiers admitted to this country?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIt would be very difficult to answer that question without notice.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the number of aliens serving in West End hotels and restaurants bears a marked disproportion to the number reported by him as having been granted permits? Will he investigate this discrepancy carefully?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am afraid that I have neither the time nor the leisure to investigate affairs in West End hotels, with which my hon. and gallant Friend is much more familiar than I am.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESAs the right hon. Gentleman is spending so much time going up and down the country to make speeches—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order"]—and, in view of the fact that he has a large staff and is responsible to the House for this duty, will he see that it is carried out?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is not a time for speeches. I called upon the hon. and gallant Member to put the next question on the Paper, not to make a statement.