6. Dr. VERNON DAVIES(for Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE) asked the Minister of Labour if she will state what number of permits have been given to aliens in the past 12 months to enable them to take up work in this country in the terrazzo and mosaic trade; and whether in all cases in which permits were granted there was need for skilled workers which could not be satisfied by British labour?
§ Miss BONDFIELDIn the 12 months ended 30th June, 1930, 27 permits have been issued by my Department in respect of skilled alien terrazzo and mosaic workers; the answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The general conditions subject to which these permits are issued may be of interest to the House, and I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Permits for skilled terrazzo workers are only granted to firms which subscribe to the apprenticeship scheme for British boys which has been adopted by the employers and trade unions and agreed with the Department. Permits are granted in proportion to the number of apprentices engaged. Consequent upon the issue of the 27 permits referred to in the reply, 26 apprentices have been articled, some of whom, however, may have been employed in the trade previously but not as articled apprentices.