§ 21. Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Labour how many people are now employed in the artificial silk industry in this country; how many of these are male and how many female workers; and how many of the personnel of the technical staffs are foreigners with and without permits to work in this country?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDSeparate figures for the artificial silk industry are not available, but the estimated number of insured persons in Great Britain 1721 classified as belonging to the silk and artificial silk industry at the beginning of July, 1928, was 69,770, of whom 30,820 were males and 38,950 females. I have no information as to the number of aliens employed in the industry, but during the first 10 months of the year 1928 permission to engage aliens from abroad was granted in respect of 63 persons, including technical experts and process workers, introduced for the purpose of training British subjects.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe time varies according to the need for their services. Speaking off-hand, three months to six months would be the average time.