HC Deb 15 November 1979 vol 973 cc1489-90
12. Mr. Wheeler

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many movements in and out of the United Kingdom have been checked by the immigration service at airports and seaports during the peak months from 1 April to 30 September.

Mr. Raison

The number of persons subject to immigration control admitted to the United Kingdom during the period 1 April to 30 September 1978 was just over 8 million. Of these, almost 5 million came in at airports and just over million at seaports. Information about the numbers of such persons leaving the United Kingdom is not collated centrally.

Mr. Wheeler

I thank my hon. Friend for that information. The figures, indeed, are tremendous, and I congratulate the Immigration Service on its handling of so many people. Will my hon. Friend tell me how many people have been refused entry?

Mr. Raison

I am grateful for what my hon. Friend said about the Immigration Service. The answer to his question is that about 8,000 passengers were refused leave to enter the United Kingdom during the period April to September 1978.

Mr. Buchan

I wonder whether the Minister of State could persuade his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to reconsider his earlier statement in relation to Members of Parliament raising the question of immigrants into this country? The right hon. Gentleman suggested that it was perfectly proper for hon. Members to raise matters on behalf of their own constituents, but not on behalf of constituents of any other hon. Member. In view of the shortness of time within which it is often necessary for a Member of Parliament to act in such cases, and as many Members of Parliament have expertise in this area—I have a connection with Chilean refugess—would he not regard his statement as a gross interference with the rights and privileges of individual Members?

Mr. Raison

What causes my right hon. Friend and myself concern is the habit that has grown up, in some cases, where one hon. Member has taken up a case and then, as it were, relinquished it for another hon. Member to step into the breach. That is contrary to the normal customs of the House, and causes real problems.