HC Deb 27 July 1971 vol 822 c208
Q12. Sir D. Renton

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement as to when Her Majesty's Government propose to accept the recommendations of the Select Committee on Science and Technology with regard to the population of the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister

The Government's reply to the recommendations of the Select Committee will be published tomorrow as a White Paper.

Sir D. Renton

Yes, but can my right hon. Friend now give us any indication whether the Government are accepting the recommendations of the Select Committee, which were unanimous and which were published 2½ months ago?

The Prime Minister

The Government's have given very serious consideration to the Select Committee's Report. I ask my right hon. and learned Friend to await the publication tomorrow so that he can study it in detail.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Instead of all the gloomy talk that is going around about the over-population of the United Kingdom——

Mr. William Hamilton

The population explosion is not the Prime Minister's fault.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

—would it not be well to encourage large healthy families and organise migration to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Southern Africa and other parts of the world where it is desirable to maintain the European population?

The Prime Minister

This is a matter which must be left to the individual concerned.

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