§ 29. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain from the Chief Constable an estimate of the number of illegal immigrants who have entered this country by the Brownsea Island route.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe chief constable tells me that the only illegal landing known to have taken place in Dorset was that on 15th March, 1969, involving ten men, who have since been returned to India.
§ Mr. KingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the B.B.C., in a stunt programme on 30th May, depicted the importation of an entire Indian family in broad daylight without let or hindrance? However irresponsible that programme may have been—and the Minister may care to comment on that—does it not reveal a disturbing state of affairs, and may I ask what action is being taken?
§ Mr. ReesIf the B.B.C. believes that the way to stop illegal entrants is to have, right the way along the south coast, a long range of policemen with glasses, as if an invasion is taking place, then it is even sillier than the silly stunt that it put on. When people are picked up on the Basingstoke bypass after a landing, it is not by luck. I think that the hon. Gentleman can leave the police to pursue the policy that they aready follow.