HC Deb 30 June 1919 vol 117 c649W
Sir J. D. REES

asked the Home Secretary what steps will be taken to prevent the immigration into this country of aliens, who are at present arriving to the number of upwards of 3,500 per week?

Mr. SHORTT

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Stratford on 24th June, from which he will see that it is not the fact that alien immigrants to the number of 3,500 per week, or anything approaching that figure, are arriving in this country. The figures given in the question is the gross total of all aliens who come to the United Kingdom, and the great majority are transmigrants or persons coming for short visits on business or otherwise. Aliens leave the country as well as enter it, and the average weekly number of aliens leaving the country is 3,200. As the hon. Member is aware, a Bill dealing with the admission of aliens is now before Parliament.