HC Deb 05 March 1930 vol 236 cc461-2W
Mr. ROMERIL

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 1,439 clerical posts for which aliens were admitted to this country in 1929 were advertised at the London City (Snow Hill) Employment Exchange to give British subjects registered at or visiting that Exchange an opportunity of offering their services for the employment in question?

Mr. LAWSON

My right hon. friend regrets that she has not felt justified in incurring the very considerable expenditure of time and labour which would be involved in preparing a reply to this question.

Mr. ROMERIL

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 1,439 alien workers admitted to this country in 1929 for clerical occupations were admitted in exchange for young British student employés sent from this country to other countries; and whether the numbers thus exchanged were strictly equal?

Mr. LAWSON

There is no arrangement for a direct head for head exchange of clerical workers with any foreign country. Under the arrangement arrived at with France in 1928 (and published as Cmd. 3138) up to a maximum of 500 French student employés covering all employments and professions may be admitted into this country in any year and a like number of British student employés into France. There are also arrangements with certain other countries regarding the admission of student employés into this country. The total number of student employés permitted to take up clerical work in this country in 1929 under arrangements made with foreign countries was 174. It is not possible to state the number of British student employés who have proceeded to take up clerical duties in the countries in question.

Mr. ROMERIL

asked the Minister of Labour whether, having regard to the difficulty of British linguists obtaining employment, she intends to stem the flow of alien clerical workers into this country and to stop the renewal of the permits of such alien clerical workers as have already been allowed to land for limited periods?

Mr. LAWSON

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 20th February last describing the steps which are taken to prevent the displacement of British labour through the admission of aliens to take up employment in this country. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that under these arrangements the entry into this country of alien clerical workers is being limited to the fullest extent which is justifiable.