§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in view of the all-party demand for a three-year ban on all immigration in order to give local authorities time to deal with the problems of housing, health and education, if he will introduce legislation to meat this need, and so ease the pressure on the working-class families in the poorer industrial areas; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is the total number of Commonwealth immigrants Her Majesty's Government plan to accept into the country; what representations he has made on the subject to the Commonwealth Governments concerned; what estimate he has made on the date by which this total will be reached, allowing for the birth rates of the peoples concerned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir F. SoskiceAs the House knows, a mission under the leadership of Lord Mountbatten is at present discussing with a number of Commonwealth Governments means of regulating the flow 207W of Commonwealth immigrants to this country. Before reaching conclusions we shall, of course, await the mission's report. I have, therefore, no further statement to make on the subject at present.