HC Deb 31 May 1962 vol 660 cc142-3W
27. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that immigrants into this country for the first four months of 1962 numbered 52,990, against 31,840 and 9,360 for the similar period of 1960, and that unemployment and underemployment amongst British workers is growing, especially on Merseyside, in Scotland and in the North-East, why the Commonwealth Immigrants Act is not to be implemented immediately, in order to safeguard British people's jobs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. R. A. Butler

In view of the time required to make arrangements for the issue of employment vouchers and entry certificates, it would not have been practicable to bring the control of immigration from the Commonwealth under Part I of the Act into effect at any earlier date than 1st July.