§ 20. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Labour whether he can assure the House that any workers brought from the Continent to take up employment in hotels, restaurants, etc., will not be used to undercut rates and conditions of employment of British workers.
§ Mr. IsaacsYes, Sir. The safeguarding of rates and conditions of British workers has always been an essential part of the policy regulating the admission of any aliens for employment.
§ 21. Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Labour the numbers of registered unemployed catering workers at the Denmark 1664 Street Employment Exchange, each month, as from 1st January, 1946; and how many of these have been found employment through the Denmark Street Employment Exchange.
§ Mr. IsaacsThe numbers of unemployed catering workers registered at the Denmark Street Employment Exchange were:
§ At 14th January, 1946–87 men, 122 women.
§ At 11th February, 1946–143 men, 177 women.
§ During the six weeks ending 20th February, 1946, 149 men, 680 women and 28 juveniles registered at this exchange were placed in employment.
§ Mr. LewisIn view of the unemployment existing in the catering industry, does the Minister consider it desirable to bring in people from the Continent when there are many British workers willing to do these jobs?
§ Mr. IsaacsThat is a question of policy which is being looked into.
§ Mr. GallacherWill the Minister consider publishing these figures? If he would do so, it would save an awful lot of Questions.
§ Mr. IsaacsThey will be published in Hansard.