HC Deb 27 July 1933 vol 280 cc2755-6
19. Mr. DORAN

asked the Home Secretary the number of aliens who have been given permission to land in Great Britain since the 1st January and the periods for which the licences were granted?

Sir J. GILMOUR

The number of aliens who were given leave to land in the United Kingdom during the six months ended the 30th June, 1933, was 138,938. This figure, which is less than the figures for the corresponding period of the two preceding years, is mainly composed of persons who came to this country for business or holiday visits of varying duration. It is riot possible to supply figures classifying the duration of visits.

Lieut.-Commander AGNEW

Can my right hon. Friend say if any large number of those are going to be allowed to stay in this country with a view to naturalisation as British subjects?

Sir J. GILMOUR

No. T have said that the great bulk of these people are here for business or holiday visits of varying duration.

Lieut.-Commander AGNEW

But on application are not these visits sometimes extended, so that they may stay the full five years and acquire British citizenship?

20. Mr. DORAN

asked the Home Secretary on what grounds persons residing in Palestine for a. period of at least one month are permitted to land in Great 'Britain without a licence; and how many persons have been permitted to land under those conditions?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Aliens corning from Palestine and seeking admission to the United Kingdom must, like any other aliens, and irrespective of the length of their residence in Palestine, obtain leave to land from the Immigration Officer at the port of arrival. The statistics of alien passengers are classified on the basis of nationality and do not show the country from which the alien travels.

21. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Home Secretary the date of arrival and departure of Dr. Schwarz, an agent of the German National-Socialist Government, who recently addressed the international consultative group for disarmament; and whether Dr. Schwarz was required to give a pledge that he would refrain from political activity while in this country?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Dr. Wolfgang Schwarz, to whom I presume the hon. Member refers, arrived at Dover on the 5th July and stated that he was a publicist and proposed to attend the National Peace Congress at Oxford. He left the country on the 13th July. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.