§ Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of aliens admitted with work permits in 1965 and 1966; how these figures compare with the average for the years 1963 and 1964; and whether he will make a statement on the trend and his policy towards it.
330W
§ Mr. Roy Jenkins48,874 in 1965 and 48,637 in 1966. These figures represent increases of 18.8 per cent. and 18.3 per cent., respectively over the average for 1963 and 1964, but those years produced the lowest annual figures since 1959. Allowing for changes in the general demand for labour, the pattern has remained fairly constant over the last 10 years and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I see no need for any change of policy.