§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the United States of America have a well-organised immigration department, with several hundred highly-paid skilled employees, and buildings containing every requisite for the efficiency of the work and the comfort of the immigrants, and that the whole expense is paid, with a margin of £20,000, by a poll-tax on each immigrant of two dollars a head; and if, in the interests of economy, he will consider the desirability of defraying the expenses of the immigration department and making better provision for the immigrants by an entrance fee of 5s., which would meet all charges and leave a profit for the taxpayer.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. GLADSTONE, Leeds, W.)My Answer to the first part of the Question is generally in the affirmative; as regards the second part, my hon. and gallant friend will remember that the Royal Commission on Allen Immigration made no recommendation on the subject, and for reasons with which he is probably conversant his suggestion, though attractive, is impracticable.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Dover Harbour Board are applying to increase the poll-tax levied on immigrants by them, and that the Secretary to the Board of Trade held an inquiry in regard to it the other day?
§ MR. GLADSTONEYes, but that is only one of many considerations.