§ Mr. T. Reidasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if Her Majesty's Government have now taken steps to ascertain the number of immigrants from British Dependencies who are coming to Britain to settle down; and what is the 208W extent to which they have applied for National Assistance on arrival and for Government housing.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary informs me that it is not possible, under existing legislation, to ascertain the exact number of immigrants from British Dependencies who enter the United Kingdom to settle. It is, however, estimated that in the period January to September, 1954, about 6,000 migrant workers from the Caribbean area set out for the United Kingdom. They are eligible on the same terms as other British subjects for National Assistance, but there is no evidence that their requirements have been in any way abnormal. The question of special Government housing does not arise.