HC Deb 13 March 1963 vol 673 cc1332-3
7. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Minister of Labour how many immigrant work permits are outstanding; for how long they are available; if he will refuse to issue any more until the unemployment figure is below 400,000 in order to give British workers the first chance of jobs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hare

The number of vouchers outstanding is about 20,000. A voucher is valid for six months from the date of issue, though this period may be extended up to one year where good reason is shown. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer I gave him on 7th March.

Sir C. Osborne

Does not my right hon. Friend think that it is completely barmy for British Railways to be sacking men in this country because it has no work for them and at the same time to be recruiting men in the West Indies to work on the railways here? In view of the fact that he will be nagged at all afternoon to find jobs for men in various constituencies, is it not stupid to let more men come here?

Mr. Hare

I must remind my hon. Friend of the intention of the legislation that we passed on this subject. We are controlling the issue of vouchers very carefully, and a large number of applicants have been told that they will have to wait before they can get a voucher. I must remind my hon. Friend that the Act is intended to control immigration and not to stop it altogether.

Mr. Prentice

Will the Minister confirm that the number of immigrants from the Commonwealth declined steeply during the latter part of last year as unemployment in this country rose, thus establishing a relationship which we on this side of the House said would exist in any case?

Mr. Hare

I do not know about "exist in any case". What the hon. Gentleman has said is true in that far fewer people are coining in for jobs this year than before the Act came into being. This is partly due to the fact that we have these powers and partly due to what the hon. Gentleman has said.

Sir C. Osborne

Surely the fall in the number of immigrants coming into this country is due completely to the Act.

Mr. Hare

I have said that I think that it is a combination of the two factors mentioned.