§ 51. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Minister of Labour on what grounds he has refused to permit foreign students to stay at Pingley Camp, near Brigg, with a view to taking temporary agricultural employment.
Mr. lain MacleodBecause it is expected that sufficient British labour will be available. Opportunities for foreign students will be available at nearly all the other volunteer agricultural camps.
§ Mr. MallalieuHaving just heard how the Government seem bent on preventing foreign travel by British citizens. may I 644 ask whether this is part of a scheme to prevent a return journey by students from foreign countries? Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is extremely desirable to allow students to come to this country as frequently as possible, and should not we facilitate their doing so?
Mr. MacleodI agree with that. We take a very liberal view—with a small "1"—of this matter. Out of the 24 camps, only at this one and at one other is there this restriction. After all—and surely the hon. and learned Member, above all people, should do so, because there are over 1,000 unemployed in Scunthorpe and Brigg—we must take into account the question of local unemployment. In general, as I think is shown by the fact that 22 out of the 24 camps do not have this restriction, we have adopted the attitude which the hon. Member desires us to adopt.