HC Deb 04 February 1937 vol 319 cc1753-5
27. Mr. Hicks

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information as to the rates of pay and working conditions of the 120 German building operatives now employed at the German Embassy and whether they are paid in British currency; the number of applications received for permits for the entry into this country of these German workmen; and the actual number of permits granted and the dates thereof?

Sir J. Simon

I have no information about the matters raised in the first part of the question. Permission has been given up to the present for the temporary admission of 145 German workmen for work on the German Embassy, and of these 16 have already returned to Germany. Sixty-six arrived in batches during November, 40 in December, and the balance on various dates up to and including the 1st instant. Since the hon. Member raised this matter on 28th January the Foreign Office has been in communication with the German Embassy and has received the assurance that only a few more men will be required to complete the work.

Mr. Hicks

Is it impossible for the Home Secretary to tell us how many permits have been granted? The same question was put last week and I am asking again now whether permits have been granted in these cases?

Sir J. Simon

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman did not catch the beginning of my answer. I said that permission has been given up to the present for the temporary admission of 145 German workmen.

Mr. Hicks

Do I understand that permits have been granted in those cases?

Sir J. Simon

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Hicks

Then cannot the right hon. Gentleman get the information as to the rates of wages and conditions under which these men have been employed? Are they being paid any wages at all, or are they just being kept and will they have their wages, if any, paid when they get back to Germany? Is that not a violation of the Truck Act? Is it not possible for us to have some information why these 150 building trade operatives were brought into this country when there are any number of men capable of doing the same class of work at the Employment Exchanges?

Mr. Leckie

What about the international brotherhood?

Sir J. Simon

I will see whether the information can be ascertained, but I am sure the hon. Member will appreciate that while the Home Office is naturally able to answer whether permits have been given, it is not ordinarily within the scope of the Home Office to ascertain when a permit is given what the rate of wages is. I have no reason to think that wages have not been paid.

Mr. Hicks

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the hon. Member behind him on the question of international brotherhood that we are willing to acknowledge it as long as trade union standards are being observed, but not Nazi standards?

Sir Percy Harris

Is the importation of men to make alterations in Embassies in accordance with precedent and practice? Do we follow this practice in making alterations to British Embassies abroad?

Sir J. Simon

That question was put as a Supplementary question the other day, and I replied by saying that I was not exactly informed, but that we should certainly expect reasonable courtesy if it were necessary in respect of any of our Embassies abroad.