§ 46. Sir G. Foxasked the Home Secretary what is the present staff of the aliens section of his Department; how this compares with the staff employed in the same section at a similar date last year; what is the approximate number of aliens cases now in hand; and whether he is satisfied that the staff is now sufficient to deal with these cases with reasonable expedition?
§ Sir S. HoareThe present staff of the aliens division numbers 141. This represents an increase of 55 as compared with December, 1937. The number of cases which are in hand at any one moment cannot be precisely stated as the communications and requests with which the division has to deal relate not only to the admission of particular individuals but to numerous other questions arising out of the position of aliens already in this country. The large additions of staff made in recent weeks have greatly ameliorated the position and, as I have already stated in reply to previous questions, the staff is being expanded as rapidly as the necessity for teaching newcomers their duties permits.
Miss RathboneHas the right hon. Gentleman considered whether some acceleration could not be produced by giving rather more authority to our consular representatives abroad, so as to prevent the terrible delays in the granting of visas, a difficulty which we recognise that they cannot very quickly overcome with their present staffs?
§ Sir S. HoareI will look into that point, but it appears to be one which should be raised with the Foreign Office.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartHas the right hon. Gentleman considered assisting the staffs of those voluntary bodies which are now offering so much useful help to his Department?
§ Sir S. HoareThat, obviously, is another question, but I can tell my hon. Friend that we are in the closest cooperation with the two bodies, and I will keep in mind his suggestion.