§ 15. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Labour under what regulations United States singers and bands are now permitted to perform in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MarshForeign entertainers are permitted to perform in this country if they have a labour permit issued by our Ministry under Article 4(1)(b) of the Aliens Order, 1953, and in accordance with arrangements made in agreement with the entertainments industry.
§ Mr. LiptonIn view of the fact that several British "pop" stars of merit have been refused permits to perform in the United States, will my hon. Friend tighten up the regulations here so that we are no longer inflicted with second-raters from over there while the British "pop" stars are being denied the right to work in America? Has not the time come for a spot of retaliation both for aesthetic and currency reasons?
§ Mr. MarshI do not think that this is the type of legislation to be used for retaliation. In the case of variety artistes of the kind to which my hon. Friend is referring, permits are issued under a longstanding control agreement with the Variety Artistes Federation. There are problems which arise sometimes because the agreement makes no reference to artistic merit or ability. The American regulations do. On the whole, the system seems to work well and, so far as I know, there is no pressure from the Variety Artistes Federation.