asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to a case heard before the London County Council with reference to British artists who had accepted theatrical engagements abroad; and whether, when passports are granted to British women artists and girls for the purpose of accepting theatrical and carbaret engagements abroad, any investigations are made into the bonâ fides of same before the issue of the passports?

Yes, Sir. Before passports are granted to theatrical or variety artists who are taking up employment abroad it is the practice of the Passport Office to consult the Stage Guild or the Variety Artists' Federation, as the case may be.

With regard to chorus girls and dancers, is anything further done in addition to consulting the Stage Guild or the Variety Artists' Federation, which may not have any knowledge of the particular engagement?

I do not think the Passport Office can do anything more than they do. The Variety Artists' Federation particularly is supposed to represent all these interests, and the Passport Office made definite inquiries of the Federation before issuing passports.

As the Federation do not represent the chorus girls and dancers, can notifications be made abroad, in the places where these girls go, to see that they are not inveigled into the white slave traffic?

In regard to the particular case the hon. Member has mentioned, I will make inquiries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been several cases mentioned in this House which I have brought to the notice of both himself and his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary?

I will make inquiries about that matter.