§ Major OWENasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the serious difficulty which obtains in regard to British firms engaged in export trade in securing competent correspondents and shorthand writers in foreign languages; and whether, in view of the importance of correspondence with foreign clients being conducted so far as possible in their own language, he will facilitate arrangements by which firms in this country may introduce such foreign correspondents?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI have been asked to reply. I know that certain firms experience difficulty in obtain-616W ing in this country the services of persons competent to deal with foreign correspondence. Permits as required by Article 1 (3) (b) of the Aliens Order, 1920, are in consequence issued for such persons fairly freely, if the salary to be paid is consistent with the qualifications required. During 1927, the permits issued in respect of alien secretaries, correspondents, clerks and typists numbered 296.