§ 10. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the number of passports issued either to women or girls for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and the number of these persons who applied for passports for the purpose of taking up theatrical engagements abroad.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThe information desired by the hon. Member is not readily available and could only be compiled by considerable labour which I do not think would be justified. A separate record of the number applying in order to take up theatrical engagements is now being kept, but has only been in existence for a month, and the figures for a month would, I think, be of no use.
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINGreat care is taken by the various authorities concerned with the help of the societies connected with the dramatic profession in this country to see that young women are not allowed to go abroad unless there is a real prospect of suitable employment. I have answered that question before, and I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I then gave.