§ 51. Mr. Swinglerasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of foundry employers' complaints in the West Midlands that his Department is unable to find suitable workers to fill vacancies but refuses to issue labour permits for aliens; and if he will take urgent action to deal with the labour shortage in foundries.
§ Mr. P. ThomasI am aware of one case of this kind about which I have been in correspondence with the hon. Member. As I explained in my letter, the local employment exchange will try to meet the firm's requirements for foundry workers from among the unemployed in the area; but if this is not possible, we will be prepared to consider an application for labour permits for foreign workers.