§ Ql. Sir C. Osborneasked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the offer of houses to immigrants by the nationalised industries, in order to attract them to work in this country, which gives such workers priority over those in this country who are on local authority housing lists.
§ The Prime MinisterThe nationalised industries do not offer houses to immigrant workers. The British Transport Commission and the London Transport Executive arrange lodgings for immigrant workers who are single or have come here without their families.
§ Sir C. OsborneIs my right hon. Friend aware that it has been announced that the British Transport Commission has offered housing accommodation to 2,500 Jamaicans to come over to man the tube trains and buses? Was that offer made with the consent and knowledge of the Minister of Housing and Local Government, and does my right hon. Friend really feel that immigrants should have housing priority over British workers?
§ The Prime MinisterAs my Answer says, this is a question not of the allocation of houses but of obtaining suitable lodgings for these workers when they come.
§ Mr. GaitskellIf we want these people to help us to run the public services of the country, they must live somewhere when they come here. Will the Prime Minister make it plain that there is no question of their obtaining council houses but only of getting furnished lodgings available in houses the landlords of which are prepared to take them?
§ The Prime MinisterYes; that is what my reply says.
§ Sir C. OsborneSince many English working men and their families find it difficult to get houses or lodgings, is it reasonable that priority should be given to immigrants over English families who have waited years for a house of any kind? Is not my right hon. Friend aware that many people in this country are very worried about developments of this kind?
§ The Prime MinisterWe must have a sense of proportion in this matter. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in introducing the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill that no one doubted the value of the contribution which the immigrants made, especially in certain services. But we recognise that this housing pressure adds to the difficulties, and it was one of the reasons why powers were taken to control the total numbers of immigrants.
§ Sir C. OsborneWith your permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment.