HC Deb 08 November 1954 vol 532 c110W
Mr. Rees-Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the estimated number of Maltese subjects at present resident in the United Kingdom; to what extent the numbers have increased or decreased by comparison with recent years; what steps are being taken to ascertain whether any of the arrivals are convicted criminals or of undesirable character; and what are the results of such steps as are being taken.

Major Lloyd George

Figures published by the Department of Emigration of the Government of Malta suggest that some 18,000 persons born in Malta are now resident in the United Kingdom, and that some 10,000 such persons have left Malta for the United Kingdom since 1945, including some 2,000 during the 12 months ended May, 1954. Any British subject is free to enter the United Kingdom without permission and it would not be practicable to check the antecedents of those who do enter.

Mr. Rees-Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the estimated number of Jamaican subjects at present resident in the United Kingdom; to what extent the numbers have increased or decreased by comparison with recent years; what steps are being taken to ascertain whether any of the arrivals are convicted criminals or of undesirable character; and what are the results of such steps as are being taken.

Major Lloyd George

It is not possible to give the estimate asked for in the first part of the Question. Information given by the Colonial Governments to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies suggests that some 7,500 migrants left the West Indies for the United Kingdom during the first ten months of this year, as compared with some 2,000 a year during the years 1951 to 1953, and that most of these people came from Jamaica. Comparable information for earlier years is not available. Under the existing law any British subject is free to enter the United Kingdom without permission and it would not be practicable to check the antecedents of those who do enter.