asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in spite of the announcement made over two years ago that the issue of permits for foreign domestic workers for private households would no longer be subject to restrictions based on the type of household and the number of staff already employed, questions on these points are still being put to housewives; and whether he will make a statement.

Such questions do not appear on the forms of application for permits to bring foreign domestic workers from abroad printed since March, 1947. For reasons of economy stocks of the earlier form were not withdrawn, but where they are still in use replies to these questions are ignored in deciding the application. Instructions are being issued to local offices to cancel these questions on any copies of the earlier form brought into use.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements exist for finding employment for railway and other employees at Swindon declared redundant; and how far in advance of the date of discharge steps are taken.

The Employment Exchange Service is specially designed to meet the needs of redundant workers. Nothing is known of any appreciable redundancies in Swindon. My local officer, however, is in close touch with all employers who are invited to arrange to register the workers in advance of discharge giving as long notice as possible. There should be no difficulty in absorbing redundant workers in Swindon.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his reply will relieve a great many anxieties, and might I ask him how many workers in Swindon have been discharged recently?

If my right hon. Friend is referring to the British Railways there, they gave notice to the employment officer a week or so ago of their intention to dismiss 20 men and gave dates of the dismissals. Since then they have absorbed all those men in another department and no one has, in fact, been dismissed.