HC Deb 20 April 1961 vol 638 cc1357-9
3. Mr. C. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that immigration into the United Kingdom for the first two months of 1961 is running at about five times the rate of 1960, and that the 1960 immigration figures were higher than for any previous year; to what extent the number of immigrants will be taken into account when deciding whether control and limitation should be applied; if he will now introduce emergency legislation to deal with this problem in accordance with public demand; and if he will make a statement.

24 Mr. N. Pannell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the great increase in immigration from the Commonwealth so far this year, what stage has been reached in the consideration of measures to control the inflow.

25 Lieut-Colonel Cordeaux

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the great increase of immigration into the United Kingdom from certain Commonwealth countries during the early part of 1961, as compared with a similar period in 1960; and whether he will now introduce legislation to deal with the problem.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Renton)

My right hon. Friend has noted my hon. Friends' points, but he has nothing to add to recent statements on this subject.

Mr. Osborne

We have been waiting for years for a statement. May I ask my hon. and learned Friend these questions? First, how many coloured immigrants does he think the country can safely absorb? Secondly, is he aware that the nation is frightened and alarmed at the flood of coloured people coming into the country? Thirdly, will he introduce legislation before the Summer Recess to cure it?

Mr. Renton

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is that it is a matter of opinion. The second part was, I think, with respect to him, not a question but a statement of opinion. With regard to the third point, I repeat what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said the other day. He stated: I made it perfectly clear that, as stated in the debate, this matter was one which caused us considerable anxiety and that both sides sees the difficulties but that at present we had reached no firm conclusion.—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 13th April, 1961; Vol. 638, c. 491.] I do not dispute my hon. Friend's figures. In the first three months of this year, 19,250 immigrants came from the West Indies and other Commonwealth countries.

Mr. Pannell

In view of the alarming increase in the number of immigrants from India and Pakistan—there were 6,600 for the first three months of this year compared with 250 for the same period last year—can my hon. and learned Friend say whether the voluntary restrictions imposed by the Indian and Pakistini Governments have broken down? If so, will the Government make urgent representations to those Governments for the restrictions to be reimposed?

Mr. Renton

So far as we are aware, there has been no change of policy on the part of the Governments of India and Pakistan. I will make inquiries to explore my hon. Friend's statement that these arrangements have broken down.

Mr. Gordon Walker

In order to get this matter into better perspective, will the hon. and learned Gentleman consider breaking down the total figure of immigration into men, women and children, because this makes a great deal of difference to our judgment of the inflow?

Mr. Renton

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will table a Question on that point.

Sir Richard Pilkington

Is it not short-sighted to allow people to come here to create a problem which has been found insoluble elsewhere?

Mr. Shinwell

When the hon. and learned Gentleman is breaking down these figures for the information of hon. Members, will he at the same time furnish the figures of emigrants from this country to Commonwealth countries?

Mr. Fisher

If the Government contemplate at any time restrictive action in this matter, will they bear in mind that there is a difference between imposing restrictions on a Colonial Territory and negotiating arrangements with an independent Commonwealth country? Can they at least defer a decision concerning the West Indies, at any rate until the West Indies become independent in a year's time?

Mr. Osborne

What is the number that the Government feel we in this country can safely absorb? My hon. and learned Friend says that that is a matter of opinion. What is the Government's opinion on it? May I have an answer to that?

Mr. Renton

As I have made clear and as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear only the other day, we are considering these matters and have not yet reached a firm conclusion on them.

21. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has received in favour of limiting immigration of citizens from the Commonwealth and Eire.

Mr. Renton

One hundred and sixty since the beginning of this year.

Mr. Lipton

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman say how many of the letters came from local Conservative associations, some of which, as in Brixton, exploit the colour prejudice at election time for vote-catching purposes? Do they take the trouble to write to the Home Office representing their views on the subject?

Mr. Renton

I have myself seen a very large number of these letters. I do not say that I have seen all of them. I honestly do not recollect any single one of them having been sent by a Conservative association.