SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in the three years 632 1897, 1898, and 1899, over 130,000 alien immigrants, other than seamen, landed in Great Britain permanently to augment the native population; that of these 64,000 were Russians, Poles, and Italians, or more than 30 per cent. more than in any previous period, and that this increase is still continuing; and whether, under these circumstances, he will explain why there there is a delay in fulfilling the undertaking given by him on 9th February, 1897, that the Government adheres to every pledge given on this subject, and that he hoped at no distant period to propose legislation to Parliament on the subject.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe total number of aliens other than seamen recorded on the alien lists as having arrived in the United Kingdom from the Continent in 1897, 1898, and 1899, and not stated in those lists to hold through tickets to other countries was 130,520, of whom 64,127 were Russians, Poles, or Italians. The number of immigrants of these nationalities in 1899 was more than 30 per cent. greater than in any year since 1893.
SIR HOWARD VINCENTThat is not an answer to my question. It is merely a repetition of the facts stated in it. I want to know the cause of the delay?
§ MR. RITCHIEI am afraid I rather missed that point. I suppose no stops have been taken because the House has been engaged on other business.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)How many of these aliens have become enfranchised?
§ [No answer was given.]