§ 12. Mr. John Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next intends to meet the chairman of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants to discuss the findings of its annual report.
§ Mr. RaisonMy right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.
§ Mr. CarlisleIf the Home Secretary had plans to do so, would he assure the chairman that the Government's policy of deporting and uprooting illegal immigrants would be followed with great verve and that he has the support of many hon. Members and of many members of the ethnic communities?
§ Mr. RaisonThat sounded a rather hypothetical question. It is the policy of this Government, as it was of previous Administrations, to remove illegal entrants unless there are compelling reasons in favour of their remaining.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonDoes not the Minister recognise that the definition of an illegal entrant that has now been created by the courts was never envisaged by the House when it passed the 1971 Act? Does he realise that the removal of people who entered by deception is now being used as a tool to harass people who are perfectly innocent and where there is no reason to question their status in Britain?
§ Mr. RaisonI do not accept that interpretation of our policy. We are carrying out the law as it is laid down by the courts.
§ Mr. MarlowIs this body in receipt of public funds; and, if so, how much?
§ Mr. RaisonI shall write to my hon. Friend about that matter.
§ Dr. SummerskillWhat progress is being made in the Government's review about the procedures used in so-called blanket raids by the police which involve the questioning and sometimes the arrest of members of particular ethnic groups? When this review is completed, will the Minister make a statement to the House, because there is still a great deal of unrest on the subject?
§ Mr. RaisonWe are making good progress with the review, and we hope to make a statement to the House before long.