Foreign Girls (Au Pair Arrangements)

HC Deb 16 March 1964 vol 691 cc976-7

22. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Labour if he will take steps to ensure, through the grant of labour permits, that foreign girls working as au pairs are not exploited as cheap labour.

Mr. Whitelaw

No, Sir, Labour permits are issued for full-time regular employment. They are not suitable for an au pair arrangement where the girl comes to this country primarily to learn the language and live for a while as a member of a British family. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who is responsible for au pair arrangements, has recently had a revised booklet prepared in several languages which, he hopes, will help to prevent misunderstanding and abuses.

Mr. Rankin

While recognising and accepting what the hon. Gentleman has said, is it not a fact that once the Home Office grants a girl a permit to come to this country, from then on it takes no interest in her? Is he aware that these girls must find jobs for themselves and that when they find jobs they have no stable agreements and are liable to instant discharge without reason? Is he further aware that, because of the language difficulties which many of the girls have, they are thus often placed in very precarious situations? Would the hon. Gentleman not consider trying to find a scheme whereby, when the Home Office grants permits, the Ministry of Labour then takes some interest in these girls when they come to this country?

Mr. Whitelaw

I am sure the hon. Gentleman appreciates that it is of the very essence of an au pair arrangement that it is not a job and that, therefore, it is not subject to a labour permit. Nevertheless, I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said. I must repeat, however, that a labour permit is not appropriate for au pair arrangements because these arrangements do not constitute an employer-employee relationship.

Mr. Rankin

Surely the hon. Gentleman is aware that these girls come to Britain for a double purpose, to study and to work, and that their work is part and parcel of their way of being able to study in this country? Will the Parliamentary Secretary urge his right hon. Friends to show more interest in these girls when they come here?

Mr. Whitelaw

Whatever may be the purpose of the girls in coming here, it is not for the purpose of taking up a job.