§ 61. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider 1041 the desirability of instructing His Majesty's representative in the United States to define the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards foreign artists coming to this country, especially since there has been no change in policy and because of American anxiety on the subject?
Mr. HUDSONMy right hon. Friend has thought it necessary to scrutinise rather more closely applications in respect of concert artists, but apart from this there has been no change of policy, nor is any change contemplated. Even as regards concert artists, the number of refusals has been very small during the last six months. Out of a total of 1,161 applications for foreign artists to appear in concerts, theatres, or variety halls, only 60 were refused; as regards the United States, there were 135 applications and only seven refusals, none of which affected actors or concert artists. I hope that this statement and these figures will dispel any misapprehension that may exist on the matter, but my right hon. Friend is in consultation with the Foreign Secretary as to any further steps that may be desirable in order to make these facts known.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs it not a fixed principle with the Ministry of Labour in scrutinising these applications that these foreign artists are only accepted where they are actually going to increase the engagement of British artists?
Mr. HUDSONI do not think there has been any change in the regulations since the hon. Gentleman himself was responsible for this Department.
§ Captain McEWENCan the hon. Gentleman say who is officially responsible for carrying out these regulations? Is it the Home Office or the Ministry of Labour?
Mr. HUDSONMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is responsible for issuing permits with regard to engagements, but the question of admission to this country rests with the Home Secretary.