Firms (Recruitment of Staff)

HC Deb 08 December 1975 vol 902 cc49-50W

Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will seek powers to make it an offence for British firms to give preference to foreign nationals in the recruitment of staff.

Mr. Booth

Under the Race Relations Act 1968 it is already unlawful for employers to discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origins by refusing to employ a person for work which is available and for which he is qualified.

The Government's White Paper on Racial Discrimination—Cmnd. 6234, September 1975—states that the Government have already decided to widen the definition of "national origins" to include nationality and citizenship.

Under the Immigration Act 1971 foreign workers who do not have the right of abode in this country, apart from EEC nationals, must have the permission of my Department before they can work here. That permission is given only if there is no suitable worker available from the resident labour force.