§ Sir L. LYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government accepts the principle of the right of individuals to move freely from one country to another; and whether in that case he proposes to modify the regulations governing the immigration of aliens into this country?
Mr. DAVIESI can accept the proposition in the first part of the question in the abstract and as an ideal; but I cannot recognise the suggestion which follows as a practical consequence. The present circumstances and the needs of this country, to which I referred in my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Lieut.-Colonel J. Ward) on Monday, render necessary very vigilant control over alien immigration. We are moving very cautiously in this matter.
§ Captain TERRELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of aliens wishing to enter this country to whom permits have been granted and from whom permits have been withheld in each of the last 12 weeks?
Mr. DAVIESAs I said in answer to a question the other day, the figures of aliens given and refused leave to land are most conveniently dealt with in complete quarters of the year, and I regret that I 713W cannot undertake to have them got out for broken periods such as that suggested in the question. If it will serve the purpose of the hon. and gallant Member, I can give him the figures relating to leave to land for each of the last three months of the year 1923.