§ 19. Lieut.-Colonel GAULTasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the large numbers of foreigners who have obtained employment in England in recent years as domestic servants; whether he can give the numbers of such for the years 1932, 1933 and 1934, and the conditions governing the entrance of such labour?
Mr. HUDSONThe numbers of cases in which foreigners have been permitted to take up employment as domestic servants in the United Kingdom in the years 1932, 1933 and 1934 are 3,132, 3,236 and 4,376 respectively. Permission is granted only in cases where British domestics are not available, and where the rate of wages offered is not less favourable than that ordinarily paid in this country. Permission is normally granted for a period of 12 months. I would add that the number in 1931 was 6,547.
§ Lieut.-Colonel GAULTWould not the tightening up of the restrictions mean 758 that a greater number of our people would be employed in this work?
Mr. HUDSONNo. Permits are in general isued by my Department only when the applicant is able to prove that no British domestic servants are available.
§ Mr. LAWSONAre there any men among the people referred to, or are they just women?
Mr. HUDSONI would not like to answer without notice, and I do not know what the hon. Member means by "just women."
§ Lieut.-Colonel GAULTIs it suggested that our people are not prepared to accept employment of this kind when it is offered to them?