§ 7 and 11. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the President of the Board of Trade, (1) if he will say for what reason he advised the refusal of permits for the admission, for 12 months only, of two German workmen to instruct British workers in the use of machinery which a German firm proposed to establish at Slough for the manufacture of glass tubes, in view of the fact that the products of this firm in Germany have been imported by prominent British wholesale houses for upwards of 30 years and that one of these houses expressed in writing its intention to continue its orders to the German firm, whether it established a factory in Slough or not; and whether, in view of the effect of this refusal on employment at Slough and since it tends to establish a monopoly to the detriment of the British consumer, he will reconsider his decision;
(2) how many applications for permits of entry for foreign workers for limited periods with the object of instructing British workers in particular processes have been refused on the advice of the Board of Trade?
§ Dr. BURGINThe views of the Board of Trade on any industrial considerations that arise with regard to applications for permits to employ alien labour are avail 1415 able to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour whenever he requires them, but I cannot, of course, say to what extent, if at all, his decision in a particular case to grant or to refuse permits may have been based upon those views or upon other considerations. With regard to the second question, I would refer to the reply which was given yesterday to the hon. Member for West Derby (Sir J. Sandeman Allen). Applications for the employment of alien labour have to be decided by the Minister of Labour, and any question regarding them should be addressed to him.
§ Sir A. KNOXWill the hon. Gentleman not allow that the refusal by the Ministry of Labour was on the advice of the Board of Trade, and does he realise that owing to this refusal 30 men and women in my constituency are now idle who would otherwise be employed; and that by taking these dictatorial powers the Board of Trade tend to set up a monopoly in this country and prevent reasonable competition?
§ Dr. BURGINI think my hon. and gallant Friend must not assume that the decision was based on advice tendered by the Board of Trade. As to the second part of his supplementary question, the information in the possession of the President of the Board of Trade shows no likelihood of any monopoly in glass tubes and tubing.
§ Sir A. KNOXIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question at the first opportunity.