HC Deb 22 May 1958 vol 588 cc1490-1
30. Mr. Braine

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations made in the Third Report of the Oversea Migration Board in regard to the collection of statistics relating to migration.

Mr. Alport

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department said in reply to a Question in this House on 14th November last, the various Government Departments interested are making a special review of the information required for official purposes about migration and the machinery for obtaining it. This review is not yet complete.

Mr. Braine

Can my hon. Friend say whether there are administrative difficulties here, in view of the fact that most of the countries faced with a large movement of population collect this information, which they consider vital?

Mr. Alport

There is always reluctance, as I think my hon. Friend will recognise, to add to the routine that visitors or passengers at ports of entry have to undergo. I can assure my hon. Friend that the importance of obtaining this information is recognised, provided that the administrative obstacles can be overcome.

Mr. Baldwin

Can my hon. Friend endeavour to arrange that we have a debate on migration soon after we return from the Recess? It is a long time since we had such a debate on the Second Report. Is not it time that we had a debate on the Third Report?

Mr. Alport

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

31. Mr. Braine

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will now make a special inquiry into the character and motivation of United Kingdom emigration to the Commonwealth as recommended by the Oversea Migration Board in its Third Report.

Mr. Alport

The recommendation of the Oversea Migration Board has received careful consideration, but my noble Friend does not think that in present circumstances the outlay of time and money on such an inquiry would be justified.

Mr. Braine

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Oversea Migration Board has reported that it is impossible for it to frame any kind of policy in the absence of proper statistics and a survey? If there are difficulties in making a survey because of the financial implications, can my hon. Friend inquire into the possibility of some independent, non-statutory body conducting such a survey?

Mr. Alport

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that suggestion. I will bear it in mind.