§ 24. Sir L. LYLEasked the Home Secretary whether, within the last six months, any new Regulations, and, if so, what, or any modifications of existing Regulations have been made with respect to the entry of aliens into this country for the purposes of travel, study, temporary residence, or obtaining work?
Mr. HENDERSONThere has been no change in the Regulations in this matter; but, as I stated on 6th March to be the intention of the Government, care is taken, with due regard to public interests, to avoid unnecessary hardship to individuals.
§ Sir L. LYLEDoes that mean in effect that the Home Office are relaxing the Regulations?
Mr. HENDERSONI did say on the previous occasion that the Regulations were fitted to conditions entirely different from those which obtain to-day. The responsibility rests with the Home Office, and we are trying to administer them fairly and squarely, having regard to the better conditions under which we are living.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANAre not conditions of unemployment worse to-day than at the time these Regulations were made, and therefore in the interests of employment in this country is it not desirable to keep the Regulations in order to prevent aliens obtaining work at the expense of our own people?
Mr. HENDERSONI thought the right hon. Gentleman was aware that these are not cases affected by unemployment. These are cases of those who have been long resident in this country, and those are the cases to which I refer in my reply.