§ 1. Mr. Manderasked the Minister of Labour whether he has any information with regard to the general standard of remuneration paid to foreign girls permitted to work in this country as domestic servants, companions, etc.?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)No, Sir. I may mention, however, that it is one of the conditions for the grant of a permit to employ a foreign domestic servant that the wages to be paid are not less favourable than those usually paid to British employés for similar work in the district. It is not the Department's practice in any circumstances to grant permits for foreign domestics where the wage offered is less than £36 a year.
§ Mr. ManderAre steps taken to check the payment of wages, and is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that British sub- 492 jects are not being undercut by the foreigners who come in?
§ Mr. ManderAre steps taken to check the position?
§ Mr. BellengerIs the Minister aware that in a large number of these cases the girls are paid much greater salaries than English girls?