HC Deb 21 July 1938 vol 338 cc2447-8W
Major Mills

asked the Home Secretary how many refugees from Austria have been admitted into this country since 1st January, 1938; for how many months they are allowed to stay; and whether they are allowed to seek and accept employment?

Sir S. Hoare

As regards the first part of the question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 23rd June. As regards the last part of the question, a foreigner who is not in possession of a Ministry of Labour permit when admitted to this country is not ordinarily at liberty to seek or take employment without my permission. If it appears that he is unable to return to Austria on political, racial or religious grounds and wishes to take employment, an application would be sympathetically considered in the light of the circumstances of the particular case, provided that no displacement of a British subject is involved.