§ Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that there is no lack of skilled labour in the engineering industry, he can state why Swiss engineers are being brought over to this country; and whether they are demanding, and being paid, the proper trade union rate of pay operating for the class of work that they are expected to do?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI presume the reference is to a case in which application was made to my Department for permits for a small number of Swiss engineers for special precision work. Full investigation showed that British workers with the requisite skill were not available for this employment and permits were therefore issued. It is a condition of the issue that the foreigners shall be paid at rates not lower than those received by British workers for similar work in the trade in the district.