§ Lord AVEBURYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, considering the Government's policy of reducing public spending, the number of staff employed by the Immigration Service Intelligence Unit has reached an all-time record in 1980; and why the expenditure on this service is being allowed to increase by 27.4 per cent between 1979–80 and 1980–81.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Belstead)Although there has been a small increase this year, the number of staff employed in the unit has remained broadly at the same level during the last five years, and the increase in the estimated staffing costs for 1980–81 is largely the result of pay settlements for immigration service and clerical grades. The Government attach importance to the work of the unit in helping to counter evasion of the immigration control.
House adjourned at twenty-six minutes past three o'clock.