§ 7. Mr. HANNONasked the Home Secretary the number of male and female aliens, respectively, admitted to Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1926; the number of aliens entering Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the same period after temporary residence in the Irish Free State; what changes have taken place in the Regulations relating to the admission of aliens during 1926; and if continuous effort is being made to exclude aliens whose admission would be prejudicial to the employment of British subjects?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe total number of alien passengers (excluding transmigrants under bond) who were given leave to land during 1926 was 367,124; the number that left during the same period was 370,161. I regret that I cannot give the number of males and females separately. No figures are available of the number of aliens entering from the Irish Free State, since passenger traffic between the Irish Free State and Great Britain and Northern Ireland is not subject to direct control. No changes have taken place in the Regulations during 1926. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that at this moment no aliens are displacing British subjects in employment in this country?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Regulations are being carried out with great strictness. As I have explained to the House many times, the one question that the alien immigration officer has to consider is whether it is in the interests of this country that an alien should come in.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs it possible for an alien to come in by way of the Irish Free State without any check at all?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, Sir. The Irish Free State conduct their alien traffic under regulations exactly similar to our own, and they work in conjunction with the Home Office.