§ 25. Sir D. Rentonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many Commonwealth immigrants and aliens, respectively, including their dependants, had been receiving National Assistance for more than six weeks on 31st December, or the last date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. PentlandI regret that the information asked for is not available.
§ Sir D. RentonIs it not very important that the Government should know how many people who come here hoping to find work fail to do so and therefore have to go on to National Assistance? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that figures at any rate similar to those for which I have asked used to be available in the past? Will he make strenuous attempts to find out the facts about this matter?
§ Mr. PentlandI shall look into what the right hon. and learned Gentleman said in the final part of his supplementary question, but neither the National Assistance Act nor the Board's records distinguish in any way between immigrants and others receiving assistance. The 711 Board noes not collect information about the number of Commonwealth immigrants or aliens in receipt of assistance.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIs the hon. Gentleman's Department playing any part in the consideration which I understand the Government are giving to the whole question of Commonwealth immigration, and can he say when the Government are likely to complete that review?
§ Mr. PentlandThat is another matter. If the hon. Gentleman wants a direct reply to it he should put down a question.
§ Dame Irene WardOn a point of order. In answering Questions the hon. Gentleman said that during the course of Questions we should be given some information as to the progress of the review which his Department is carrying out. I do not seem to have heard that. May I ask whether we are to have that information?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe difficulty about this is maybe that some hon. Members who have Questions on the Order Paper are not here. The Minister cannot be responsible for knowing whether they will be here or not.