HC Deb 02 May 1961 vol 639 cc1126-7
40. Mr. C. Osborne

asked the Prime Minister if the statement made by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on 21st April, in London, about Her Majesty's Government's attitude towards deportation to and immigration from Commonwealth countries, represents Her Majesty's Government's policy.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Osborne

But is my right hon. Friend aware that his colleague said that the Government had no plans to halt immigration from any Commonwealth country at present? In my right hon. Friend's opinion, is there any limit to the number of coloured immigrants that this country can safely absorb? If there is, will he say what that limit is likely to be? [HON. MEMBERS: "What colour?"] This is my Question. Is my right hon. Friend aware that the people of this country are desperately concerned about the colour problem? May I plead with him to give his personal attention to this problem which is causing more anxiety to ordinary people in this country than any other problem at present?

The Prime Minister

My hon. Friend asks whether a statement made by my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary represents the Government's view. The reason for this statement was that a statement had been attributed to Sir Grantley Adams, who was alleged to have said that West Indian immigration to Britain would be likely to stop before the end of the year and that some people would be sent back to the West Indies. My right hon. Friend consulted me and I thought it right that this statement should be made by the Colonial Secretary, which merely repeats, as has been repeatedly said in Parliament, that Her Majesty's Government have the situation under review but at present they have no plans to introduce legislation. I have since heard that Sir Grantley Adams denies making the statement, which was wrongly attributed to him, and I thought that it was important to correct it because it might have just the wrong effect, contrary to what my hon. Friend's anxieties are.

Mr. Osborne

In view of the fact that over the last two or three years various Ministers have said that the Government have this matter under consideration, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will please say when they will make up their mind about it? The people of this country are more concerned about this—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—Yes, they are.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Member for Louth (Mr. C. Osborne) has departed from the interrogative form and is repeating verbatim what he said before.

The Prime Minister

I quite understand that all hon. Members from every point of view realise the importance and difficulty of this problem. There was a debate a month ago and I am afraid that I have nothing to add to the Government statement made then.

Mr. Gaitskell

Will the right hon. Gentleman realise that we welcome the Colonial Secretary's reassuring statement on this matter? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that, instead of talking about stopping immigration, it would be more helpful if the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. C. Osborne) gave attention to the housing problem created by this and did not try to stop a valuable contribution to the labour force in this country?

The Prime Minister

The Government's position is exactly as I have stated. We are considering this matter and have not reached a conclusion.