§ Mr. McSHANEasked the Minister of Labour whether, in respect of the alien women and girls admitted into this country for domestic service, any system of supervision and inspection of the conditions under which they live and work is in force; and, if so, whether any complaints or adverse reports have been made?
§ Miss BONDFIELDSpecial investigation of the conditions under which a female alien domestic servant would work
The number of bands composed of alien musicians to whom permission has been given to enter this country since the 1st June, 1926, together with the number of weeks covered by the permissions (including extensions) given are shown in the following statement: Period. Stage Bands. Restaurant and Dance Bands. Total. No. Weeks covered by permission granted period. No. Weeks covered by permission granted in period. No. Week covered by permission granted in period. 1st June, 1926 to 31st May, 1927. 4 61 5 132 9 193 1st June, 1927 to 31st May 1928. 1 13 7 121 8 134 1st June, 1928 to 31st May, 1929. 4 64 5 137 9 201 1st June, 1929 to 22nd March, 1930. 6 45 6 132 12 177 There has been no change in the rules applied in this connection. It is the rule not to admit foreign bands to play in this country unless they present some special feature or evidence of outstanding ability. In general they are admitted for limited periods only, in some there are at present in the country only three foreign bands admitted under permits. An employer desiring to bring in a complete band to play for dancing is required to engage, or to continue to engage, a British band of equivalent size, and the augmentation of a British dance band by the introduction of alien musicians of outstanding ability is permitted up to only about 25 per cent., and subject to the condition that no British player is discharged to make room for 628W is made before a permit is issued when circumstances indicate that such a course is desirable. There is no system in operation of regular inspection aster the issue of a permit and the last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.