§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Her Majesty's Government will be ready to sign the European Agreement in regard to au pair.
§ Mr. SharplesI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 13th January to a Question by my hon. Friend, the Member for Ilford, North (Mr. Iremonger).—[Vol. 809, c. 76.]
§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the contract of service between the hotesses and au pair girls or boys will be agreed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; and how soon after this date it will be made impossible for au pair to enter this country without a contract duly signed by the hostess, the au pair, and the parents of au pair.
§ Mr. SharplesAs regards the first part of the Question, I understand that no date has been fixed. As regards the second part, my right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet able to make a statement.
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§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many au pair there are in Great Britain; and what are the average hours of work and payments and hours off for study of the English language.
§ Mr. SharplesAbout 20,000. As regards the second part of the Question, information about hours and payment is not available. The advice issued by the Home Office is thatau pair girls should not be expected to perform domestic duties for more than about five hours daily, that they should have at least one day a week free and that reasonable pocket money would be 50s. to £3 0s. 0d. a week.