§ MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been directed to the recent tables relating to the immigration of foreigners into the United Kingdom, and particularly to the fact that, although nearly 1,000,000 persons were maintained under the Poor Law in Great Britain and Ireland in 1890, 29,885 aliens arrived from the Continent at 21 British ports between May and December, and at two others in the whole year, not intending to proceed to America, while the foreign immigration into London was 4,400 higher in 1890 than in 1889, and into Hull 1,320 higher; and if, having regard to the admitted increase of the immigration of Polish Jews, many of whom were in a state of destitution, and to the confirmatory reports of the Chief Officers of Police in the Metropolis, Manchester, and Leeds, he will consider the desirability, as contemplated by the Select Committee of 1889, of legislating against the importation of pauper and destitute aliens?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe tables referred to by my hon. Friend show that 29,885 aliens, not stated to be en route to America, arrived from the Continent at 21 British ports between May and December last, and at two others in the whole year, but the tables do not show that these immigrants intended to remain here; in fact, as stated in the Report prefixed to the tables, it is probable that a large number of the 29,885 immigrants left the United Kingdom in the course of the year. The Committee of 1889 reported that they saw great difficulties in the way of enforcing laws similar to those of the United States and certain other countries against the importation of pauper and destitute aliens, and were not prepared to recommend such legislation at present. There has been no important change in the circumstances since the Committee reported, but the current of immigration will continue to be carefully observed.
§ MR. HOWARD VINCENTMay I ask whether the immigration into London in 1890 was not greater than it was 128 in 1889, and whether the Chief Commissioner of Police does not consider it as a serious matter?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThere has been an increase, but,it has by no means been large.
§ MR. HOWARD VINCENTI beg to give notice that I shall take a further opportunity of calling attention to this question.