§ 14. Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of persons from foreign countries who will enter the United Kingdom in 1977 with the intention of making it their permanent home.
§ Dr. SummerskillIt would not be practicable to base an estimate on people's intentions. The circumstances in which foreign nationals may be granted settlement and the restrictions on the admission for temporary purposes of persons who may intend settlement are indicated in the Immigration Rules.
§ Mr. ViggersWhat effect does the substantial rate of immigration have on unemployment and Government expenditure?
§ Dr. SummerskillIt is not possible to identify the exact effect of immigration on employment. I would point out to the hon. Member that the Question refers to immigration from foreign countries. Comparable Commonwealth figures are given in the published Home Office immigration statistics.
§ Mr. BuchanIf I may revert to the matter of adjudication under the immigration legislation, with particular reference to adjudication on Chilean entrants, will my hon. Friend take properly on board the nature of these determinations? Not only have they been insulting attempted entrants; they have been gratuitously insulting to the people of this country, including my constituents, who object to the Pinochet régime. If the Home Office does not accept direct responsibility, will my hon. Friend at 735 least accept that since the Home Secretary appointed these adjudicators he has the power to "unappoint" them?
§ Dr. SummerskillI congratulate my hon. Friend on managing to get in that supplementary question, but I hope that he will read what I said about adjudicators in answer to a previous Question. Although my right hon. Friend appoints adjudicators, I would remind the House that they operate under the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1971. I suggest that he reads that Act, which will give him a full answer to his question.