HC Deb 28 February 1940 vol 357 cc2103-4W
Mr. Parkinson

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will authorise the employment of persons in all royal ordnance factories who are unemployed and of British nationality, in preference to persons of other nationalities?

Colonel Llewellin

The rules governing the engagement of workpeople by the Royal Ordnance Factories provide thatno person is eligible for entry who is not a natural born British subject and the child of parents also natural born British subjects. Exceptions to this rule are made only in special cases, mainly those of persons who have served in His Majesty's Forces.

Mr. Parkinson

asked the Minister of Supply the number of persons employed in a royal ordnance factory, the name of which he is aware of, who are not of British nationality, giving males and females separately?

Colonel Llewellin

Part of this Royal Ordnance Factory is operating and my right hon. Friend is not aware that any of the workpeople employed in that part are not of British nationality. Construction work is proceeding on another part of the factory site, under the Office of Works. The contracts which the Office of Works have made contain a clause which requires contractors to obtain the permission of the First Commissioner before employing workpeople of other than British nationality and no such permission has been sought or granted in respect of any of the workpeople now employed.