HC Deb 10 March 1949 vol 462 cc1386-7
42. General Sir George Jeffreys

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many aliens have been permitted to enter this country, with a view to permanent residence therein, since June, 1945; how many of these were displaced persons; and what are the conditions under which such entry of aliens is now permitted.

Mr. Ede

From 1945 to 31st January, 1949, just over 6,000 distressed relatives of persons resident here, refugees from certain European countries or alien husbands of women of British birth and parentage, have been allowed to come to this country for permanent residence. In addition, 76,674 European volunteer workers have been brought to this country and, subject to compliance with the conditions on which they were recruited, will be permitted to remain here. Admission for permanent residence is confined to the classes that I have mentioned. The figures given do not include former members of the Polish and German forces, 156,942 of whom have been allowed to remain in this country.

Sir G. Jeffreys

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether every care is taken to see that members of these various classes he has enumerated are in every way desirable residents for this country before they are admitted, and is care taken specially to exclude Communists and near-Communists?

Mr. Ede

Every effort is made to ensure that these people will be suitable residents in this country, and adequate steps are taken to get the advice of persons concerned with security to that end. But I cannot undertake to have an inquiry made into the political beliefs of every applicant for admission.

Earl Winterton

In view of the very fine record of this country in regard to refugees, under four successive Governments of different political complexions, will the right hon. Gentleman make use of these figures by sending them to our representatives at U.N.O., because the world ought to know what we have done for political refugees?

Mr. Ede

I hope that one of the results of this Question will be that greater knowledge will prevail as to what we have done during the very difficult period through which we have been passing.

Mr. Vernon Bartlett

When the right hon. Gentleman conveys that information to U.N.O., will he also bring out the fact that a great number of these aliens have considerably contributed to the wealth of this country, and that on the whole their presence here has been very useful?