§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Labour what conditions are imposed to safeguard the interests of British musicians when permits are granted to foreign musicians to enter and carry on their profession in this country?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe conditions imposed depend on the circumstances of the proposed employment of the alien players, and also the kind of performance. Examples of the conditions laid down are as follow:
If the employer desires to bring in a complete band to play for dancing, he is required to engage, or to continue to engage, a British band equal in size to the alien band. If it is proposed to augment a British dance band by the introduction of alien musicians of outstanding ability, such introduction may be permitted up to about 25 per cent, on condition that no British player is discharged to make room for the aliens. Complete bands to play symphony or national music, e.g., an Hungarian Tzigane Company, are admitted on an assurance that no British band or British player is being displaced, and that the alien band will not play for dancing. No condition other than a limitation of the period of stay in this country is in general imposed in the case of concert instrumentalists and persons giving stage performances at music halls.