HC Deb 03 November 1938 vol 340 cc362-3
30 and 54. Sir Smedley Crooke

asked the Home Secretary (1) how many aliens have been permitted to enter, and to remain in, this country since 1st March, 1938, and how many have been refused this permission; and how these figures compare with other European countries;

(2) how many aliens have been given permission to take up employment or to set up in business for themselves, either professionally or otherwise, in this country since 1st March, 1938; how many aliens have been refused this permission; and how these figures compare with other European countries?

Sir S. Hoare

As the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Wedgwood Benn

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that the Munich Agreement has greatly intensified this problem?

Mr. Petherick

Will my right hon. Friend continue to bear in mind in giving these permits the problem of unemployment in this country.

Sir S. Hoare

I have made a full statement as to my attitude towards this question. I try to hold the balance between them.

Following is the answer:

It is not possible to give the information in the form asked for, nor am I able to make comparisons with other European countries.

During, the period from 1st March, 1938, to 30th November, 1938, 347,291 aliens were given leave to land in this country and 1,154 were refused leave to land. The arrival figures comprise, for the most part, business and holiday visitors who were admitted for short periods of varying duration, and during the same period 341,166 aliens embarked. It is not possible to say how many of those who entered this country may wish to prolong their stay or remain for business purposes. During the same period 13,235 permits for employment were issued by the Ministry of Labour and applications for 2,349 permits were refused; 7,976 of those issued were in respect of domestic service.

If my hon. Friend has refugees from Austria particularly in mind, a special record is kept of persons admitted to this country as refugees or who, having arrived as ordinary visitors, make application to the Home Office for permission to prolong their stay because they cannot return to their own country on political, religious or racial grounds. The number of such refugees from Austria for the seven months in question is 2,106, including women and children.