§ 1. Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Labour whether she can state the number of German workers who have been granted permits by her Department to land in Great Britain since 1925 who are still in employment in this country and the trades or occupations they are engaged in; and whether there are any special regulations governing the time that these permits are granted for?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)I regret that I should not feel justified in undertaking the very considerable labour that would be involved in extracting the information asked for in the first part of the question. A permit, if issued, is generally for a limited period from one week up to 12 months, the actual period depending upon the purpose for which it is required. Extensions of the original permit may be granted where this course is deemed to be justified, but the number of aliens who remain in employment here for longer than 12 months is small relative to the total numbers who are granted 1430 permits. For a more detailed account of the procedure regulating the entry of foreigners for employment in Great Britain, I would refer my hon. Friend to Command Paper, 3318 issued last year by my predecessor.
§ Mr. DAYWill my right hon. Friend say, in view of the figures which she has given in this House recently showing the number of Germans who have received permits since 1925, and in view of the large unemployment which we have in this country, if British workmen cannot be found to take their places?
§ Miss BONDFIELDNo, Sir.