§ 10. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Minister of Labour how many aliens have been granted permits for employment at the factory of Messrs. Bata at Tilbury; what number of such permits have terminated; and what number are still in operation?
Mr. STANLEYPermission has been granted for the employment of 28 aliens at the Bata factories at Tilbury. Four permissions have terminated; the number in operation at present is 24.
§ Mr. SMITHCan the right hon. Gentleman say why these permits were given? Is there a dearth of labour in this country?
Mr. STANLEYThese are permits granted to special men who are brought over here in order to train labour in this country.
Captain CAZALETIs it not the case that a similar number of English people are employed in a factory in Czechoslovakia as a result of this arrangement?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not the case that there are many people in the boot and shoe industry who are unemployed, and why is it necessary to bring in these foreigners?
Mr. STANLEYI understand that this firm has a particular process, and it is necessary to bring over skilled men to teach British labour here how to use this process. These permits are only for a limited time.
§ 11. Mr. McENTEEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to excessive hours being worked by juveniles at the factory of Messrs. Bata, of Tilbury; and whether he will take steps to see that the law in this respect is observed and the health of the work-people thereby protected?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)I have received a report showing that the normal hours at these works are 7.30 to 5.30 with no Saturday employment. Some of the employes have been working longer, but apparently within legal limits. In one or two instances there have been irregularities but these were not serious and the firm have promised to see that they are not allowed to occur again.