EUROPEAN VOLUNTEER WORKERS

HC Deb 24 July 1947 vol 440 cc166-7W

50. Mr. S. Shephard

asked the Minister of Labour how many female European volunteer workers have been brought to this country; and how many of them have been found work in hospitals and sanatoria, in industry and in domestic service, respectively.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Five thousand two hundred and eighty-three, of whom 2,694 have been placed in hospitals and sanatoria; 965 in other forms of domestic service (including staff for the National Service Hostels Corporation); and 956 in industry. In addition to the European volunteer workers more than 18,530 permits have been issued from May last year for the employment of foreign domestic workers in private households, hospitals and similar institutions.

51. Mr. S. Shephard

asked the Minister of Labour how many holding camps for European volunteer workers have been set up in this country; what is the number of persons accommodated; and how many are at present being employed.

Mr. Ness Edwards

A total of nine holding camps for European volunteer workers have been set up in this country; the number of persons who can be accommodated in them is approximately 10,000. Up to the present time, 9,500 European volunteer workers have been placed in employment.

55. Mr. Attewell

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement as to the activities in social life, with particular attention to educational facilities for learning the English language, in the European volunteer workers' camps, Leicestershire.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Social activities on a considerable scale and classes in English have been organised at the hostel in question by the European volunteer workers themselves, assisted by the resident welfare officers, and by local voluntary helpers. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education has recently asked local education authorities to assist in making arrangements in all holding hostels for systematic instruction in English subjects, particularly the teaching of the English language, and to provide such textbooks and other material as may be necessary, the cost being reimbursed by my Department.