§ 6. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish an inquiry into the admission of au pair girls into the United Kingdom, with particular reference to the employment of such girls who are under the age of 17 years.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Richard Sharples)No, Sir. Foreign girls under the age of 17 are not admitted into the United Kingdom for au pair arrangements.
§ Mr. DavisIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that in one specific case which I 1252 drew expressly to his attention and to which I referred in the Adjournment debate on 4th December, a young Iranian girl aged 15 was working as an au pair? How does he reconcile that with his statement? How many au pair girls are working here? Are not a large number treated as a source of cheap labour by people anxious to obtain their services?
§ Mr. SharplesThe case to which the hon. Gentleman refers was that of a young lady who was admitted here as a short-term visitor. She was well under the age of 17. When her parents returned to their own country she took a job as an au pair. She would not have been admitted here as an au pair. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put down a Question on the total number involved.