HC Deb 13 June 1939 vol 348 cc1122-3W
Sir N. Grattan-Doyle

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is permanent as well as seasonal employment with satisfactory wages and conditions awaiting female domestic workers in residences, hotels, and boarding houses all over England, and skilled and unskilled employment at trade union rates in the West Riding clothing trade; whether he is consulting with trade union leaders and employers with a view to transferring and/or training some of the 400,000 women and girls now in receipt of un employment benefits; and what other plans he is initiating to reduce the total of unemployed unskilled women workers for whom there is well-paid work and so avoid employing foreigners?

Mr. E. Brown

I am aware of the opportunities for employment as female domestics in residential hotels and boarding houses. These opportunities are brought to the notice of all unemployed women on the Employment Exchange registers who appear suitable. Training is provided through the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment for women who might be suitable but lack the necessary experience. As my hon. Friend will no doubt appreciate, however, the great majority of the women registered as unemployed are ordinarily engaged in industrial occupations to which they look for their livelihood or are un-suited by reason of their age, training, or other circumstances for such employment.

As regards the shortage of labour in the West Riding clothing trade, there is nothing to add to my reply of nth May last to my hon. Friend, the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, N. (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle).

On the general question of the employment of foreigners in this country, it has always been the consistent policy of my Department to refuse to issue permits to employers to bring in foreign workers except where it is abundantly clear that the employer, after making all reasonable efforts, cannot get suitable British workers. Female workers, equally with other workers, share in the benefits of the present welcome reduction in unemployment.