CAPTAIN COLOMB&c.) (Tower Hamlets, Bow,asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, What steps have been taken to collect information as to foreign labour in East London; and, whether he can give the House any information as to the approximate number of destitute foreign immigrants into the United Kingdom from the Continent of Europe in each of the last five years respectively?
§ THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)The time of the Labour Correspondent has been so fully occupied in important and pressing duties that up to the present the Board of Trade have been unable to utilize his services in dealing with the special subject referred to by the hon. and gallant Gentleman; but the question will not be overlooked. With regard to the second portion of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, I can only repeat what I said in answer to a previous Question—that there is no record of immigration of foreigners into the United Kingdom which discriminates between foreign immigrants who are destitute and those who are not.
§ CAPTAIN COLOMBIs it not the case that there is no record at all kept of foreigners coming into this country from Europe?
§ BARON HENRY DE WORMSI think if the hon. and gallant Member will look at the Return he will find that there is a record; but it does not distinguish between those who are destitute and those who are not.