§ 28. Sir D. Rentonasked the Minister of Labour how many aliens and Commonwealth immigrants, respectively, including in each category their dependants, had been unemployed for more than six weeks on the last date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. ThorntonNo separate statistics are maintained of unemployed aliens. On 1st February, 1965, the number of Commonwealth immigrants registered as unemployed was 9,224. I regret that an analysis by length of unemployment is not available.
§ Sir D. RentonDoes not the fact that there were 9,000 Commonwealth immigrants unemployed indicate that it would be as well if the Minister of Labour were to stop issuing employment vouchers for Commonwealth immigrants until these people have been absorbed into our labour market?
§ Mr. ThorntonWhen control was instituted in July 1962, 10 per cent. of the immigrants—both immigrants and our own indigenous people—were unemployed. The last available figure is 2.7 per cent
§ Mr. Kenneth LewisHow many of these have been long-term unemployed, say for a period of six months?
§ Mr. ThorntonI regret to say that we have no statistics on that, but what information is available leads me to the conclusion, on which I am not being too specific or definite, that the long-term unemployment amongst the immigrant population is no greater than it is among the indigenous population.
§ Mr. OrmeWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that many of us on this side of the House do not accept this breakdown of unemployment figures among immigrants and non-immigrants and that we want to see the unemployment problem solved in its entirety irrespective of where the people come from or who they are?
§ Mr. ThorntonI find myself in substantial agreement with my hon. Friend, but I hope he will appreciate that I am answering the Question put to me.
§ 42. Sir D. Rentonasked the Minister of Labour how many Commonwealth immigrants were employed by British Railways and London Transport Executive on the last date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. ThorntonI regret that I do not have this information.
§ Sir D. RentonBearing in mind that one of the most important facts about the immigrant population is that it is said that they are needed on British Railways and London Transport, would the hon. Gentleman try to obtain the information?
§ Mr. ThorntonWe have tried to find it. The information available is very restricted and governed largely by the issue of A vouchers. We shall do what we can, of course, but it is not easy to determine the position. It is well known that a number of immigrants are engaged in London Transport and British Railways, and I think it is also appreciated that they are rendering very valuable service to the community.
§ Mr. GrimondWill the hon. Gentleman go further and confirm not only that a very large number of immigrants are employed on London Transport but that London Transport would be in very considerable difficulties without them?
§ Mr. FreesonWill my hon. Friend agree that it is deplorable that certain hon. Members opposite tend to bring into their Questions to certain Ministers, as we have witnessed today, what some of us would describe as a racialist undertone?
§ Sir D. RentonIn order that the arguments for or against having a large number of immigrants here for service on the railways shall not be exaggerated either way, is it not most important that the House should be provided with the information for which I have asked?
§ Mr. ThorntonI have attempted to give all the information we have. It is an exremely difficult problem. The Ministry staff, I am sure, does the best it can, but let it not be forgotten that we took over the Government machine quite recently.