HC Deb 27 February 1929 vol 225 cc1959-61
34 and 35. Mr. R. MORRISON

asked the Minister of Labour (1) how many aliens have been admitted during the past four years in order to take up clerical employment;

(2) how many aliens are at present holding permits of the Ministry of Labour in respect of clerical employment?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The number of aliens admitted for clerical occupations of all kinds, including those admitted as students, etc., and who were subsequently permitted to accept such employment, was as follows:

1925 … … … … 926
1926 … … … … 888
1927 … … … … 1,105
1928 … … … … 1,310

The great majority of these aliens were of one of three classes (1) foreign correspondents, (2) young persons occupying supernumerary posts for limited periods in order to obtain British experience and some knowledge of English, (3) men to take up work in the British branches of foreign companies and corporations. No information is available as to the number of aliens at present employed in clerical occupations as the result of permits issued by the Department.

Mr. MORRISON

Is it not possible to differentiate between those who come here merely as students, in order to learn, and those who come here in order to earn a living?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Yes, and that is clone very strictly indeed. Of such growth as there has been, part is due to the fact that before the Treaty of Locarno, former enemy aliens were generally excluded, but, after the Locarno Treaty, Germans came in here and were admitted on the same terms as others. That accounts for a slight increase in numbers. What we aim at is the degree to which British business is benefited by having some aliens with the necessary knowledge of the language in British firms here, or whether it is advisable that some employés in a foreign house should acquire a knowledge of the British language, in order to help our trade there.

Mr. CECIL WILSON

Is there an exchange in any of these cases?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Exchange is generally applied to other kinds of aliens, such as waiters.

Mr. MORRISON

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has had a very comprehensive reply.