§ Sir R. GOWERasked the Minister of Labour (1) how many permits she has granted since 1st June, 1929, to aliens to enter this country and be employed as waiters in restaurants, hotels, and similar places here;
(2) what is the number of alien waiters now in employment in this country;
(3) whether, in view of the unemployment existing in this country, she will consider the desirability of cancelling the permits granted to alien waiters to be employed here and of refusing to grant permits to those alien waiters who, in the future, may apply to her for permission to enter this country in order to carry on their avocations here?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe total number of aliens admitted to this country to take up employment as waiters during the period 1st June, 1929, to 31st January, 11130, was 197. Except in 10 cases all of 2115W these aliens were admitted for short periods under reciprocal arrangements for the interchange of young British and foreign hotel employés who desire to obtain experience in countries other than their own. Apart from cases of this nature the issue of permits in respect of alien waiters is closely restricted, and permits are granted only in exceptional circumstances. I am satisfied that it would not be practicable to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member that all future applications for permits should be refused. I regret that I have no information as to the total number of aliens employed in this country as waiters.