HC Deb 31 January 1977 vol 925 c2W
Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give an estimate of the number of immigrants to this country who have (a) entered illegally or (b) entered on temporary visas which have expired.

Dr. Summerskill

Because of the nature of the offence, it is inherently impossible to make a reliable estimate of the number of people in this country who have entered illegally. Information about people lawfully admitted subject to a time limit who overstay is held on a case by case basis; it cannot practicably be collected in a suitable form for estimating purposes.

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