§ 43. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many U.S. ex-Servicemen have applied for permission to join their British born wives resident in this country; and when he expects that these married couples will be re-united.
§ Mr. EdeI regret that this-information is not available. As my hon. Friend knows, special arrangements have been made by the United States authorities to enable wives in this country to join their husbands.
§ Mr. DribergCan my right hon. Friend say why it is that, when there is a marriage between two people of different nationalities, it is always the wife who is expected to be uprooted and sent to another country, and would not most of these relatively few men be a great asset to this country?
§ Mr. EdeI think that the matters raised by my hon. Friend go much beyond those which it is possible to deal with by question and answer.
§ Mr. Michael FootIs it not a fact that there is a shortage of manpower in this country? Why should there be any restriction of this sort?