HC Deb 01 December 1960 vol 631 cc585-6
39. Mr. N. Pannell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what success has attended his efforts to induce the West Indian Governments to co-operate with him to reduce the flow of migrants to this country.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The West Indian Governments in general show an understanding of the problems involved in migration to this country and a readiness to co-operate with Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in dealing with them. I am satisfied that they are fully alive to the need for impressing upon potential emigrants the problems involved in migration to this country.

Mr. Pannell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that since he gave an assurance in this House on 21st July that the West Indian Governments would co-operate in this matter the rate of inflow of immigrants has greatly increased, and that during the first ten months of this year there were 43,450 immigrants from the West Indies as compared with 16,400 for the whole of last year? This has been a matter of concern for several months, and will my right hon. Friend consult with his Cabinet colleagues with a view to doing something effective instead of watching the situation carefully month by month while it is steadily deteriorating?

Mr. Macleod

I can assure my hon. Friend that there is on this matter particularly co-ordination by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary—in view of his responsibility, very close consultation indeed. It is true that the figures are very large and must cause anxiety this year. I believe that administrative methods will not really serve in this matter and that the choice must be in trying to hold the balance between administrative methods and legislation, but I am sure that my hon. Friend will recognise what an immense breach in our tradition legislation would mean.

Sir J. Duncan

Will my right hon. Friend remember that there are far more hon. Members worried about this matter than would appear from Questions on the Order Paper?

Mr. Macleod

I know that, and I hope that the answer I have given to the supplementary question shows that Her Majesty's Government are worried about it, too.

Mr. Dugdale

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a very large number of immigrants from Ireland coming to this country? If representations are to be made, will they also be made to Ireland?

Mr. Macleod

The study that Her Majesty's Government undertake has no relationship whatever to colour or to different countries within the Common-wealth. It covers all the problems of both immigration and migration from all countries in the Commonwealth on the same basis.