HC Deb 01 June 1961 vol 641 cc406-8
20. Mr. N. Pannell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will, as a matter of urgency, appoint a small fact-finding committee to examine the question of immigration from the Commonwealth.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I do not think the appointment of such a committee is called for as adequate factual information is already available.

Mr. Pannell

In view of the increasing gravity and complexity of this problem, with immigrants flooding into this country from every quarter of the Commonwealth in ever-increasing numbers, does not my right hon. Friend consider that there is urgent need for an impartial assessment of the position as a prelude to positive Government action?

Mr. Butler

I think that we have published in HANSARD nearly all the figures which are up to date and which are rightly described by my hon. Friend as causing a certain degree of anxiety and consideration. I do not think that a committee could produce many more facts for the consideration of the Government than we have been able to give the House.

Miss Bacon

Is it not strange that hon. Members opposite always raise the question of immigration from the Commonwealth? Can it be that they are more concerned about the colour of the immigrants than the numbers of those coming in?

Mr. Butler

I think that we all agree that if there is to be anything done on these lines in this very difficult situation it would have to be quite regardless of the question of colour.

Mr. Pannell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that 95 per cent. of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth coming to this country are coloured and that any legislation introduced must appear to apply to coloured people in these circumstances?

Mr. Butler

I think what is important is that to preserve absolute rectitude on this it should not be designed to deal specifically with the question of colour.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that every time his hon. Friends ask a Question about this matter it tends to increase the flow of immigrants from the West Indies, anxious to get here before restrictions are imposed? Could he not ask his hon. Friends to stop asking such a flood of Questions?

Mr. Butler

I cannot restrict the number of my hon. Friends or hon. Members opposite asking what Questions they wish to ask. I think that we must be a little careful about the encouragement of further numbers of immigrants at present.

21. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of estimates now being made that the number of immigrants may reach 150,000 this year, he will arrange for controls requiring a deposit of the return fare from immigrants on arrival.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The issues raised by immigration from the Commonwealth are under constant study by Her Majesty's Government, but I have no further statement to make at present.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that, while of course a great many immigrants are doing a very good job in this country, a large number of cases have been brought to my attention recently of immigrants who come here and, for some reason or other, cannot get a job and therefore go on to National Assistance? Will he take that point into consideration when considering whether they ought to deposit the return fare?

Mr. Butler

I shall certainly take that into consideration. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour keeps me fully informed about the degree of unemployment existing among immigrants.