HC Deb 22 June 1967 vol 748 cc309-10W
11. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many male fiancés have been admitted as dependants under the Commonwealth Immigration Act in 1966 and 1967, respectively.

Mr. Ennals

I can give only a rough estimate. In 1966 about 600 men who were subject to the Commonwealth immigration control, and in the first quarter of 1967 about 200, were admitted to marry women resident here.

30. Mr. Gurden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the net increase in the number of Commonwealth citizens arriving in the United Kingdom since the appointment of the Wilson Committee; when the Committee's report will be published; and when legislation will be introduced to implement its recommendations.

Mr. Ennals

The net increase from 1st March, 1966 to 30th April, 1967 was 71,581. For the rest, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answers given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Miss Lestor) on 2nd May—[Vol. 746, c.53–4.]—and to a Question by the hon. Member for Dorking (Sir G. Sinclair) on 7th June.—[Vol. 747, c. 225.]

31. Sir C. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority he admitted 4,485 immigrants from India, 1,391 from Jamaica and 3,719 from Pakistan in April, 1967; if he is aware that about 15,000 coloured immigrants were admitted, which is at the rate of 180,000 per annum; and, in view of the shortage of housing, the probability of high unemployment next winter, the racial tension created and adverse public opinion, if he will introduce legislation to prohibit all immigration for the next five years.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Some Commonwealth citizens enter as of right under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962, and others are admitted in accord- ance with my "Instructions to Immigration Officers" (Cmnd. 3064).

The figures quoted by the hon. Member include returning residents, students and visitors, as well as dependants and voucher holders coming for settlement. These figures thus give no guide to the rate at which Commonwealth citizens are settling here. The Answer to the last part of the Question is "No".