HC Deb 23 November 1936 vol 318 cc42-3W
Mr. LYONS

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered for employment in the hosiery and underwear trades who were, respectively, unemployed, wholly or partially, at the end of October, 1936; corresponding figures for similar dates of the last three years; and separate figures for the city of Leicester?

Mr. E. BROWN

The following table shows the numbers of insured persons, in the hosiery industry and the shirts, collars, underclothing, etc., industry, recorded as unemployed (a) in Great Britain, and (b) at Leicester, at a date in October, 1936, 1935, 1934 and 1933.

admitted to this country as au pair visitors during 1934 and 1935 and to the latest convenient date for 1936; and whether any inquiry or investigation is made to prevent these visitors being used as cheap labour to the displacement of English female workers?

Mr. E. BROWN

The number of permits issued in respect of foreigners to reside here on an "au pair" basis was:

Year. Permits. issued
1934 390
1935 343
31st January to 31st October, 1936 318

In addition my Department advised the Home Office that permission to reside on an au pair basis might be granted to the following numbers of persons who had been permitted to enter the country for a short temporary stay:

Year Favourable Recommendations to Home Office.
1934 453
1935 426
1st January to 31st October, 1936 387

As regards the latter group of cases I should explain that if a foreign au pair visitor is not in possession of a permit but the Immigration Officer is satisfied that there is no objection to a temporary visit, it is, I understand, the practice to give leave to land for a limited period of two months, so that if the person wishes to stay over that period the case may be investigated by the Home Office in consultation with the Ministry of Labour.

The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative; it is the policy not to grant permission on an au pair basis, unless it is shown that the foreigner is not required to perform definite work in the household for which wages would normally be paid.