HC Deb 30 April 1974 vol 872 cc449-51W
Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether illegal immigrants who are to be granted an amnesty in accordance with his statement to the House on 11th April will be accorded full citizen rights so that they will be able to vote at local and general elections and serve on juries.

Dr. Summerskill

Provided that such persons are British subjects or fall to be treated as such under the provisions of Section 3(5)(b) of the Pakistan Act 1973, are not subject to any legal incapacity, and have their names included in the appropriate electoral register, they will be entitled to vote at parliamentary and local elections and will be liable for jury service if between the ages of 18 and 65.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange to publish regular information as to the numbers of illegal immigrants who have been granted amnesties following his statement on 11th April, showing their places of residence.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

We propose to include particulars in the quarterly immigration figures, which are placed in the Library and made available to the Press. It would not be practicable to show places of residence.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many allegedly illegal immigrants were in detention on 11th April and have now been released following his statement on that day.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Twenty illegal entrants were in detention on 11th April. All entered after 1st January 1973 and were not eligible to benefit under the decision.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in order to prevent abuse, he will set a time limit for the granting of amnesties to illegal immigrants.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

No. We did consider this but concluded that a time limit was not necessary to prevent abuse and that it would not be right to deny the benefit of the decision to someone who had not heard of it at the time and whom we subsequently believed to be entitled to benefit.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants who have made applications for amnesties have also asked for the admission of dependants into the United Kingdom; how many dependants are involved; and how

£ per ton
1970 1971 April 1972 1973 1974 15th April 1974
Sisal baler twine 140.72 145.59 154.80 203.51 371.80 371.80
Polypropylene baler twine 328.56 340.23 361.92 361.92 501.84 516.90

Forward to