§ 35. Major Procterasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present number of foreign riding instructors who have permits from his Department to reside and carry out such instruction in this country; and how the number of such instructors compares with that in each of the past three years?
§ Mr. LloydI am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that during the last three years no permit has 1056 been issued by his Department to any employer to bring foreign riding instructors into this country. An occasional application may have been received from a foreign visitor for permission to remain here and open a riding school. Any such application would be dealt with on its merits in the light of the circumstances of the particular case and with due regard to any national interests involved. But no separate record is kept of applications of this kind, and I am afraid that it is not possible to give figures.
§ Mr. PetherickWill it be possible for my hon. Friend to make a categorical statement to the House that it is not intended to give any of these permits in future in view of the immense number of ex-cavalry men who took part in the last War, and who are at present in the country and would be able to act as instructors?
§ Mr. LloydEvery case is examined on its merits with regard to the particular circumstances and interests involved, and I have no doubt that that is one of the considerations borne in mind.