HC Deb 09 June 1902 vol 109 cc96-7
SIR HOWARD VINCENT

I beg to ask the resident of the Board of Trade if his attention has been directed by His Majesty's consular agents in Roumania, or by other means, to the exodus of poor Jews from that country, and to the efforts they are making to come to London; and what steps he is taking to prevent their ingress into Great Britain.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

His Majesty's Minister at Bukarest has furnished a copy of a law relating to the organisation of trades in Roumania dated March 5, (18) 1902, which appears to affect the industrial position of Jews in that country. I have seen it stated that this law is likely to stimulate the emigration of Roumanian Jews, but so far the number of Roumanians arriving in this country shows no material increase compared with last year. The whole question of alien immigration is at present under the consideration of a Royal Commission.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

And will this information be laid before the Royal Commission?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

Yes.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in the past few months over a thousand persons seeking admission to the United States have been rejected as undesirable citizens; and what steps he has taken to prevent their coming into the crowded centres of Great Britain.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I have no means of knowing whether the figure given in the Question is accurate. The last published returns show that in the year 1900–01 3,879 alien immigrants, or only 1 per cent. of the arrivals, were rejected from all causes by the United States authorities. During 1901 383 rejected immigrants were returned to this country, including 180 of British nationality. From these figures it would appear that only about 5 per cent. of aliens rejected by the United States authorities are returned to this country, and some of these probably do not settle here. As I have already stated, the whole question of alien immigration is now being considered by a Royal Commission.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this information is laid before the Royal Commission?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I have no doubt that it will be