§ 96. Mr. Molsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Hadfield Worsted Mills Co., Ltd., were informed by the Minister of Labour on 23rd September that the application for a labour permit for Mr. L. J. Vandaele had been forwarded for action to his Department; that his Department stated on 20th November that applications should be made in the first instance to the Ministry of Labour; 174W that although a further application was consequently made to the Ministry of Labour, no reply had been received on 26th November; and whether he will consult with the Ministry of Labour in order to expedite a decision in this particular case.
§ Mr. YoungerIt appeared from correspondence with the firm that Mrs. Vandaele was British by birth and was resident here before her marriage. In these circumstances it would be the current practice to admit her and her Belgian husband and to allow them to take employment without Ministry of Labour permits, and if the immigration officer is satisfied as to the facts, my right hon. Friend knows of no reason why they should have difficulty in obtaining leave to land. I regret that the position was not more clearly explained in the letter of 10th November. A further communication is being sent to the firm.