HC Deb 27 February 1964 vol 690 cc613-4
17. Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of the Irish Republic have been convicted of indictable offences in Great Britain since the introduction of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act; and what were the corresponding figures relating to citizens of Commonwealth countries who are covered by the provisions of the Act.

Mr. Brooke

I regret that this information is not available.

18. Mr. Pounder

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of the Irish Republic, and how many citizens from Commonwealth countries, have been recommended for deportation since the introduction of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act.

Mr. Brooke

Up to 31st January, 540 and 422 respectively.

Mr. Pounder

I thank my right hon. Friend for those illuminating but disturbing figures. Does he consider that the time has now come, or is fast approaching, when he should study the possibility of controlling the hitherto unrestricted flow of Irish immigrants into this country?

Mr. Brooke

That would require either control at the British ports or control along the land frontier between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Mr. Brockway

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that these figures are a very small proportion of the number of immigrants?

Mr. Brooke

Yes, I certainly agree.