§ 3. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Minister of Labour how many of the personnel of the beet-sugar factories' staff are aliens holding certificates from the Ministry?
§ Mr. LAWSONThe number of aliens working under permit in beet-sugar factories is 67, of whom 28 are process workers employed only during the manufacturing campaign.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGECan the hon. Gentleman say whether any steps have been taken to replace these aliens by British engineers and workers?
§ Mr. LAWSONNot as far as I know, but I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that these figures compare with 9,000 regularly employed during the manufacturing campaign.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction, at least on the part of one local authority, against these alien people?
§ Mr. LAWSONI am not aware of that fact, but, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, in this particular industry it has been necessary to employ certain key men and skilled men; otherwise, the work could not have been done.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not a fact that a great many of these factories could never have been started without the initial help of aliens?
§ Mr. LAWSONYes, that is a fact. This industry could not have been established and carried into effect without the help of these foreigners.
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBIs the hon. Member aware that unless the Government do something to help the industry itself there will be no work either for aliens or for our own people?