§ 2.37 p.m.
§ LORD ELTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what success they have had in countering the efforts of the widespread network of organisations seeking by various methods, which have been reported in detail in the Press, to promote illegal immigration into this country.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, I think the terms of the noble Lord's Question overstate the extent of the mischief, serious as it is. In the nature of things we have no means of knowing precisely what success attends our efforts to prevent evasion of the immigration control, but I can assure your Lordships that we are doing all we can to ensure that an effective control is maintained.
§ LORD ELTONMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that, on the whole, very satisfactory Answer, may I ask him one further question? As it has been stated (my only information comes from the Press, and it may be incorrect) that the firms supplying forged passports in India and Pakistan maintain agents in Frankfurt and other Continental centres, and that among other activities they supply those who have been refused entry with further forged passports for a second attempt, could the noble Lord say how far it is possible for our officials 1424 to obtain co-operation from the Continental police in dealing with this particular racket?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, so far as forged passports are concerned, our officers detect a number of forgeries and take appropriate action. Of course, they are constantly on the lookout for this kind of thing. With regard to the noble Lord's question as to co-operation from the police on the Continent, I am afraid that I cannot give him an answer to-day, but I will certanly look into it.