HC Deb 25 June 1963 vol 679 cc1128-30
Q3. Mr. C. Royle

asked the Prime Minister if the public statement made by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on Thursday 6th June, prior to his departure from Malta, on the subject of employment in Malta, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Royle

While being glad to get that Answer, will the First Secretary remember that his right hon. Friend said: The Malta Government should, therefore, rightly be encouraging emigration, and the British Government are providing money to help pay the fares of immigrants. Is he aware that his right hon. Friend went on to say: There are at present tens of thousands of"—

Mr. Speaker

It sounds as though the hon. Member is making a verbatim quotation, which is out of order at Question Time.

Mr. Royle

Perhaps I can paraphrase it, Mr. Speaker.

Is the First Secretary aware that his right hon. Friend said that there were tens of thousands of vacant positions which Maltese could fill in the south of England? Does this mean that there will be no necessity now to re-enact the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, or is it just a question of shade or colour?

Mr. Butler

The answer to the latter part of that question is in the negative and, to the earlier part, immigration by the Maltese would, of course, have to comply with the terms of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act.

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

Q6. Mr. G. M. THOMSON

To ask the Prime Minister whether the public statement made by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in Malta on 6th June regarding planned emigration to the United Kingdom represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. G. M. THOMSON.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Question No. 6. Sir.

Mr. Butler

That was answered with Question No. 3.

Mr. Speaker

I was rather expecting that, but I did not myself hear the right hon. Gentleman say that they were being answered together. That would have denied the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) the chance of asking a supplementary question. Can the First Secretary assist me?

Mr. Butler

I am perfectly ready to read out the Answer again, Mr. Speaker. It is: "Yes, Sir."

Mr. G. M. Thomson

I thank the First Secretary for reading that illuminating Answer again. Is he aware that it makes nonsense of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, which he himself helped to pass? Is he aware that although the Colonial Secretary's offer to help Malta is valuable in itself, it is vitally important that the Government, in their immigration policies, do not appear to discriminate between one part of the Commonwealth and another? Is he further aware that there is widespread suspicion in the West Indies that facilities which are being made available to a white Colony are being denied to a coloured Colony? Will the Government, therefore, extend these facilities to the West Indies?

Mr. Butler

I cannot answer a question on the West Indies in relation to a Question on Malta. All I can say is that the Commonwealth Immigrants Act is, I think, being fairly administered.

Mr. Ronald Bell

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that while this statement does not make nonsense of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, it does make nonsense? Will he inform himself as to what proportion of convictions for brothel-keeping in the Metropolitan area are committed by Maltese immigrants?

Mr. Butler

That raises an entirely different question.

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