HC Deb 29 July 1971 vol 822 cc773-5
21. Mr. Duffy

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the services available at Sheffield Employment Exchange to workers seeking employment in Germany; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Yes, Sir. Applications received by the Exchange from such workers will be considered against vacancies in Germany under arrangements agreed between my Department and the Federal Institute of Labour which are now coming into operation.

Mr. Duffy

If the Sheffield workers in Germany are not to suffer indignities and discrimination as Gastarbeïter, exploited by unscrupulous Landlords and paying taxes while not aware that they are entitled to social benefits, does not the Minister think that he ought to make available at Sheffield Employment Exchange appropriate literature, and consider the appointment of a liaison officer in Germany?

Mr. Smith

I agree. That is why officials of my Department have recently had discussions on the spot in Germany. I can tell the hon. Member that leaflets will be issued giving full information of conditions of employment, and they will be issued at employment exchanges in Sheffield and elsewhere in the country. Also a standard form of contract will be issued for German employers of British workers.

Mr. Harold Walker

Is it not regrettable that 17,000 British skilled engineering workers have been compelled by conditions in the United Kingdom to seek employment in Germany? Is not this a further indictment of Government policies which have created this lamentably high level of unemployment which means they cannot find jobs in their home towns?

Mr. Smith

No. It is not an indictment of Government policy because this has not suddenly happened overnight but has been going on for some 15 years. When there is a temporary difficulty here about unemployment and an acute labour shortage in Germany, such movements of labour do nothing but provide mutual benefit.

Mr. Bob Brown

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there is now a steadily increasing flow of skilled workers from: the Tyneside area, and is this not clear evidence of the dismal failure of the Government's regional policies?

Mr. Smith

No. I do not accept that. There are a number of skilled workers who are still going, and that fact is not confined to one region. I do not think this will denude this country of our skilled workers.