§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has received or collected of blackmailing of immigrants who entered the 103W United Kingdom illegally on the question of his refusal to grant an ammesty to immigrants who entered prior to 1st January 1973; and what legislative action he now proposes.
§ Mr. LaneAllegations of blackmail have been made in a few of the cases that have come to our notice. The police will deal with any cases of blackmail of which they become aware and, while my right hon. Friend can give no general assurance that an illegal entrant who helps the police in the detection of a blackmailer will be allowed to stay in this country, such assistance would be one of the factors taken into account in deciding whether or not an illegal entrant should be removed.
As regards the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend sees no need for legislation.