Abstract
SPEAKING in the House of Commons on August J, Mr. Bevin, Minister of Labour, announced that he has set up an International Labour Branch as part of the employment department of his Ministry. The purpose of this branch is to organize the man-power of allied nations and of other well-disposed persons of foreign nationality in Great Britain. It is hoped to obtain full knowledge of those available for employment and to seek suitable openings for them in industrial and other work. Co-operation is to be maintained with the Allied Governments and other national authorities in Great Britain, and Mr. Bevin also hopes to have the advice of representatives of trade unions of foreign countries. He was very emphatic that the new branch would have nothing to do with internees; release of aliens and their supervision generally is a matter for the Home Office. Once an individual has been passed by the Security Department, then he becomes available for consideration by the Ministry of Labour. At this stage, Mr. Bevin said he proposed to dispense with the terms ‘aliens’ and ‘refugee’, and to refer to such individuals as an ‘International Labour Force’. This development, coming at the same time as the announcement of limited release of German and Austrian refugees, shows that the problem of dealing with the unfortunate people who have been driven from their homes by Nazi and Fascist persecution is being given careful consideration. They have come to Great Britain for freedom, and while they will recognize that the special needs of the times make restrictions of various kinds necessary, they will appreciate the opportunity which is now to be given them of taking an active part in the struggle against totalitarian domination.
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An International Labour Force. Nature 146, 192 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/146192b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/146192b0