HC Deb 01 March 1956 vol 549 cc1359-60
39. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that no check is made of the number of people emigrating by air from the United Kingdom to the Dominions and Colonial Territories, unlike those who go by sea; and if he will take action in the matter.

Mr. Walker-Smith

My right hon. Friend is aware that no check is made. The possibility of remedying this gap in our information is being explored, but the problem is how to collect the figures without disproportionate cost and inconvenience.

Mr. Johnson

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the figures given us in official publications such as this are completely bogus, and have been for years? There can be an error to the extent of 10 per cent. or 20 per cent. of people leaving the United Kingdom for the Colonies and Dominions. I thank him for the action that he will take in this matter.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I think that the word "bogus" is rather harsh. The figures are complete in so far as they go, that is to say, for emigrants going direct by sea to non-European ports. It would be rather difficult to collect figures of persons going by air, but the matter is being pursued.

Mr. Johnson

Is it not a fact that these figures are collected by Dominions and Colonial Territories overseas? If they can do that, in regard to their air systems, why cannot we?

Mr. Walker-Smith

The hon. Member is asking for statistics of people leaving this country. If that were done it would mean more form-filling and other formalities at the airports. There are two views upon this matter, as I am sure the hon. Member appreciates.