§ 16. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the recent campaign in Portugal to exclude all foreign labour as far as possible; the present number of British subjects resident in that country; the present number of Portuguese subjects resident in Great Britain; and whether he has made, or intends to make, any representations to the Portuguese Government with the object of safeguarding the position of those British subjects now employed in Portugal?
Mr. A. HENDERSONYes, Sir. I have received a copy of the Portuguese Government decree of the 16th May regarding the employment of aliens in Portugal. His Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon has informed the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs that His Majesty's Government trust that the decree will not be administered to the detriment of British subjects. I am unable to state the number of British subjects resident in Portugal. There are, 402 approximately, 340 men and 300 women of Portuguese nationality resident in this country.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEWill the right hon. Gentleman keep this matter in mind, because I happen to know of a British enterprise which is just starting in Portugal, and which may give some employment to British subjects in this country?
Mr. HENDERSONIf the hon. Member has any information that he can give me that will be useful, I shall be, very pleased to receive it.