§ 15. Mr. LONGBOTTOMasked the Minister of Labour if she has any figures showing the number of musicians who are at present unemployed consequent upon the introduction of talking pictures?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar question by the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Remer) on 19th December last, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. SMITHERSIn view of the unemployment in the musical profession, will the right hon. Lady do what she can to see that the introduction of foreign musicians into this country is limited as far as possible?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI can assure the hon. Member and the House that that is so already. I am in constant communication on this matter, and, in fact, I have already arranged, at the request of the Variety Artists' Federation, for a deputation to be received.
§ Mr. LEIF JONESWill the right hon. Lady also consider the abolition of foreign music as well in this country?
18. Mr. WARD LAW-MILNEasked the Minister of Labour how many bands composed of alien musicians have been permitted to enter this country since the present Government came into office; and what were the corresponding numbers in the previous three years?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am having this information extracted and will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.