§ 57. Mr. Osborneasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what has been the result of his inquiries made to the Governments of India and Pakistan in regard to the immigration of Indians and Pakistanis into this country; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)Yes, Sir, in response to the inquiries which my noble Friend has made, the Governments of India and Pakistan have expressed their profound concern at the problems which have arisen through the recent sudden rise in immigration from those two countries. As recently as 5th May, Mr. Nehru stated in Parliament that the Government of India realised that, because of the freedom which Indian citizens enjoy in entering the United Kingdom, there is a responsibility cast on the Government of India to prevent this from being abused. The Indian authorities have assured us that the regulations governing the issue of Indian passports to intending migrants will continue to be strictly enforced. The Government of India are also very ready to take other remedial action open to them.
The Pakistan Government for their part have recently announced stricter regulations for the issue of passports valid for travel to this country. They have increased the cash deposit required before such passports are issued and have stipulated that a migrant must have a working knowledge of English and a guarantee of work prior to his departure from Pakistan.
While it is still too early for these latest measures to have taken full effect, the numbers arriving in March and April have been much less than in February.
§ Mr. OsborneMay I thank my hon. Friend for the information that the Pakistan and Indian Government are doing what lies in their power and ask him if it is not now urgent that we should do something on this side to control this immigration? In view of the fact that only yesterday 3,000 of our best citizens went to Australia and we are replacing them in this country with Pakistanis who can live on our Public Assistance without working—as thousands are doing today—will he please urge his colleagues in the Cabinet to look into this matter?
§ Mr. AlportI think it is generally accepted that any Government would be reluctant to introduce legislation which would depart from the traditional policy of successive Governments under which British subjects are allowed to enter this country without let or hindrance. From the terms of my Answer, my hon. Friend will realise that the Governments of Pakistan and India have taken very appropriate steps in dealing with the problem from their end and we hope that by tackling it in that way we shall produce a satisfactory solution without having to depart in any way from what has been a long-standing traditional policy in this country.
§ Mr. H. HyndIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many Pakistanis get out of their country by saying that they are going on a pilgrimage to Mecca but that the pilgrimage finishes in this country?
§ Mr. AlportI am not aware of that, but from information the Pakistan Government have given they are anxious to prevent any evasion of the law of that sort.