§ 9. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Minister of Labour what is the specialised work in which are engaged the 03 Soviet citizens, employés of Russian Oil Products, Limited; and will she give the reasons why this work could not be done by British subjects?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThere are now only 61 Soviet citizen employés of Russia Oil Products Limited; 29 of these are permanently resident in this country and no authority for their employment is necessary. Of the remaining 32, 28 are reported to be employed in technical or managerial posts and four as typists, with special language qualifications.
§ Mr. SMITHERSIs the Minister aware that some of these Soviet citizens cannot speak English, and that they know nothing—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise on this question.
§ Mr. SMITHERSOn a point of Order. Let me respectfully draw attention to the fact that the question asks why this work could not be done by British subjects, and as these people cannot speak English and have no technical knowledge—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat goes beyond the question.