HC Deb 07 August 1975 vol 897 cc419-20W
Sir David Renton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that the net inward balance of people arriving from the new Commonwealth rose from 17,154 in 1973 to 89,714 in 1974, if he will now take steps to reduce this rate of increase, bearing in mind the number of unemployed in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Net balance figures are not a significant indication of the numbers of people settling in this country. They are affected by the numbers of people who come here for temporary purposes.

The total number of people from the new Commonwealth accepted for settlement on arrival in 1973 was just over 24,000. In 1974 the number was under 22,000. The numbers were made up almost entirely of the wives and children of Commonwealth citizens already settled here on 1st January 1973, who have a statutory right of entry; of United Kingdom passport holders, to whom we have a special obligation; and of spouses of people settled here, who are entitled to admission under the Immigration Rules provided they hold entry clearances.

Mrs. Millie Miller

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in each of the last five years, how many young Commonwealth citizens have been admitted to the United Kingdom for extended holidays under paragraph 28 of the Immigration Rules for Control on Entry of Commonwealth Citizens, and from which Commonwealth countries;

(2) In each of the last five years, how many children under 18 years of age have been admitted to the United Kingdom to join one parent with sole responsibility for the child's upbringing; how many children under 18 years of age have been admitted to join one parent or relative other than a parent because exclusion would be undesirable, under paragraphs 43(e) and 43(f), respectively, of the Immigration Rules for Control on Entry of Commonwealth Citizens, and from which Commonwealth countries;

(3) In each of the last five years, how many unmarried children aged 18 years or over but under 21 years who formed part of the family unit overseas have been admitted to the United Kingdom under paragraph 44 of the Immigration Rules for Control on Entry of Commonwealth Citizens, and from which Commonwealth countries.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

I regret that this information is not available.