§ 27. Sir D. Rentonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in 1966 there was an increase of 30,044 in the alien population of the United Kingdom compared with 25,508 in 1965 and 18,866 in 1964; what were the reasons for this increase; and whether he will make a statement about current and future policy with regard to the admission of aliens to this country.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe figures quoted by the right hon. and learned Gentleman—the figure for 1965 should be 24,508—represent the net balance between aliens arriving and departing, and are not a figure for the permanent addition to our resident alien population. The numbers of aliens accepted for permanent residence in 1964, 1965 and 1966 were 19,211, 20,615 and 18,948, respectively. These figures are not such as to call for any fresh policy.
§ Sir D. RentonHow does the hon. Gentleman relate the large increase in the number of aliens here in the last two years with the high level of unemployment and the smaller number of vacancies to be filled during that period?
§ Mr. EnnalsThere is very little relationship, because these are simply figures at the ends of particular years and they 1942 fluctuate from year to year. For instance, in 1962 there were well over 8,000, whereas in 1966 there were 30,000, in 1957, 10,000, and in 1960, 36,000. This is a figure which varies from year to year and it can be considered only by looking over a period of years as a whole.