HC Deb 01 August 1940 vol 363 cc1374-6
8. Mr. James Hall

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements he is making to secure that the services of friendly aliens now resident in this country are used to the best advantage?

Mr. Bevin

Under arrangements hitherto in force, foreigners desiring employment have been invited to register at local offices of my Department, and to take employment subject to being granted a permit. These arrangements, although supplemented by the efforts of the various refugee organisations, have not so far succeeded in providing the maximum opportunity to our friends from abroad to render service. Accordingly, I have decided, with a view to organising the man-power of Allied nations and of other well-disposed persons of foreign nationality in this country, to set up an International Labour Branch, as part of the Employment Department of my Ministry. This branch will have its headquarters at a separate office in London. The staff will include persons able to speak the languages of the countries concerned, and I am confidently expecting to secure the co-operation of representatives of the different nations in making a success of this new organisation. In particular, I hope to have the advice and assistance of an advisory committee, including trade union representatives from foreign countries. It is my hope that we shall thus get valuable assistance in establishing the bona fides of well-disposed foreigners and in bringing sympathetic consideration to bear on individual cases. It will be part of the functions of the new International Labour Branch to obtain full knowledge of the persons available for employment and to seek suitable openings for them in industrial or other work. The co-operation of Allied Governments and other national authorities in this country will be sought.

Mr. Hall

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, might I ask whether he thinks it will be possible to start the operation of the scheme in a short time?

Mr. Bevin

The Department is in process of being established to-day. We have been fortunate in securing the services and help in building it up of Mr. Scott, from Geneva, who did the migration work and the Allied mercantile work, and who is a well-known ex-Indian civil servant. I am confident that, with his knowledge, he can help us to bring it into being very quickly.

Mr. Ralph Etherton

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that Englishmen have preference?

Mr. Bevin

Certainly; the policy of the Department is to see that Britishers have preference. But I am extremely short of skilled men at present, and in utilising the skill and ability of a number of these men, I shall actually be putting Britishers to work.

Mr. Wedgwood

Will there be on this committee any representation of the Austrians, or the Austrian Centre, and will those people who are not interned be able to apply for employment?

Mr. Bevin

In answer to the first part of the question, I do not know who will be on the committee. I am working, in connection with the establishment of the committee, through the Trades Union Congress, with the assistance of the employers' organisations. With regard to the second part of the question, I shall have nothing to do with the people who are interned. The question of release from internment is one for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. My duty will begin when he has completed his, and has passed them on to me to utilise their services.

Mr. G. Strauss

May we take it from the reply that in the category of friendly aliens are included friendly aliens from Germany and Austria?

Mr. Bevin

I do not propose to use the term "aliens" or "refugees." As far as this part of the work is concerned, it is my intention to call them, once they are passed on to me from the security Department, the International Labour Force, and neither aliens nor refugees.