§ Mr. Petherickasked the Home Secretary how many cases of illegal immigration into this country have been brought 924W to his notice during the past year; and what action he is taking?
§ Mr. PeakeIn the 12 months ended 31st May, 1939, there were 108 cases where aliens were found to have entered the country without permission. All these people were prosecuted. In addition steps are being taken continuously to discover how irregular entries are effected and to provide the requisite checks.
§ Wing-Commander Jamesasked the Home Secretary what has been the approximate cost to date of the increase in the Aliens Department consequent upon the additional work imposed by the refugee problem?
§ Sir S. HoareThe approximate cost of the increase in staff in the Aliens Department since 1st March, 1938, is £9,000.
§ Wing-Commander Jamesasked the Home Secretary whether the proportionate rise of approximately 30 per cent, in the first quarter of 1939 over the previous year's total of 2,158 aliens granted naturalisation is connected with the refugee exodus from German territory, and, if not, how this rise is accounted for, and if he estimates that it will persist?
§ Sir S. HoareOf the 783 certificates granted in the first three months of 1939, there were only 198 granted to persons of former German nationality and many of these were persons with long residence in this country. The total number of certificates granted in these three months was high because of steps which are being taken in my Department to reduce the accumulated arrears. Amongst the applicants for naturalisation there is always a large proportion of persons who have been in this country for long periods, and the number of applications is likely to be affected by the number of aliens resident in the country.