HC Deb 27 April 1950 vol 474 cc1119-20
30. Mr. Thomas Reid

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many stowaways are known to have landed in Britain since the end of the war; and from what countries they have come.

Mr. Ede

From 7th August, 1945, to 31st March, 1950, 1,653 alien stowaways and from 1st January, 1946, to 31st March, 1950, 2,141 British stowaways arrived in the United Kingdom. I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT tables showing the nationality of the alien stowaways and the territories from which the British stowaways came.

Mr. Reid

Are the British stowaways repatriated to the place from which they came?

Mr. Ede

They are in certain cases.

Sir T. Moore

Could the Home Secretary say how many British stowaways have left Britain since 1945?

Mr. Ede

That is not a matter that comes within the scope of my Department.

Following are the tables:

ALIEN STOWAWAYS
7th August, 1945, to 31st March, 1950
Austrian 2
Belgian 10
Brazilian 1
Chinese 2
Cuban 2
Czech 9
Danish 9
Dutch 56
Egyptian 14
Estonian 2
Finnish 110
French 58
German 85
Greek 35
Hungarian 20
Italian 10
Yugoslav 5
Latvian 1
Mexican 2
Norwegian 20
Polish 130
Portuguese 265
Roumanian 36
Russian 3
Spanish 291
Swedish 21
Swiss 4
Turkish 3
U.S.A. 30
Other Europeans 14
Central American 20
Other non-European nationals 42
Stateless or nationality doubtful 341
Total 1,653
STOWAWAYS CLAIMING TO BE BRITISH
1st January, 1946, to 31st March, 1950
From:
Aden and Yemen 38
Bahamas 1
Barbados 18
Bermuda 2
British Guiana 15
British Somaliland 64
East Africa 10
Gambia 153
Gold Coast 299
Jamaica 374
Kenya 10
Nigeria 426
Sierra Leone 263
Trinidad 26
Other territories 442
Total 2,141