§ Mr. Prescott46, 47 and 48. asked the Minister of Labour (1) what is the average age of male European voluntary workers who have been permitted to enter this country;
(2) for what period European voluntary workers are brought to the United Kingdom;
(3) what agreement is required to be signed by a European voluntary worker before being allowed to enter the United Kingdom; and what are the main provisions of such agreement.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsInformation as to the average age of male European volunteer workers is not available. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the undertaking covering the recruitment of European volunteer workers from which it will be seen that they enter Great Britain without restriction as to period.
§ 50. Major Beamishasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the disappointment amongst D.P.s in the British zones in Austria and Germany that so little is being done by the Ministry of Labour to encourage and maintain family life when selecting European volunteer workers by providing accommodation in the national hostels for married couples or women with children or by other means; what representations have been made to him in this connection by British representatives on the International Refugee Organisation; and what steps he is taking to effect any improvement in the situation.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe Government would wish to make greater provision for 67W accommodating the dependants of European volunteer workers, but the problem is one of exceptional difficulty owing to the general shortage of accommodation in this country. The International Refugee Organisation fully understands this position. The question, including the similar and connected problem of the accommodation of Polish dependants, is kept under constant review by a Committee under my chairmanship on which all the interested Departments are represented.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Minister of Labour how many male European voluntary workers permitted to enter this country are 55 years of age or over; and what percentage this is of the total.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThis information is not available.