asked the Minister of Labour if an arrangement has been arrived at between himself and the Minister of Labour in France for 500 French citizens to come annually to England to learn the English language; if he will state the reason for such an agreement; and whether he has information as to the number of English citizens who have been in the habit of visiting France annually for the purpose of learning the French language?

Under an arrangement concluded about the middle of January as the result of negotiations carried on last year, a maximum annually of 500 French subjects may come to this country for employment in order to perfect their knowledge of the English language and English commercial methods, subject to a permit being granted in each individual case by my Department and the application being endorsed by the French Ministry of Labour. The arrangement will enable my Department to exercise more effectively its powers with regard to the issue of permits, and I have reserved the right to restrict the number of applications granted either generally or in respect of any particular occupation, in the light of the volume of unemployment which may prevail. I have no information as to the last part of the question.

Mr. JONES:

Is there any limit to the number of British subjects who can go to France to learn the language under this arrangement?

Not that I am aware of.

How long will these 500 applicants be allowed to remain in the country under these permits?

It depends on the circumstances of the case. The ordinary policy of the Department is a continuation of the policy of the last Government, which is not to allow any alien to come into the country if there is a danger of other people being thrown out of work.

How many have availed themselves of this advantage?

I am afraid I do not carry the statistics of my Department in my head.

How does the right hon. Gentleman draw a distinction between those who may come in and those who may not?