HC Deb 28 February 1978 vol 945 cc118-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent he has departments and offices together with staff employed wholly or mainly on matters connected with immigration; what are the numbers employed and total wages and salaries; to what extent these figures have changed over the past 10 years; and, now that immigration has been reduced to a mere trickle, what plans he has for reducing these offices, staffs and related expenses.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

On 1st January 1978, the number of staff at the headquarters of the Immigration and Nationality Department—other than those engaged on matters of naturalisation and nationality—and at the 56 immigration officers at seaports and airports was 2,671, and the estimated cost of salaries in 1977–78 is £13.5 million. The corresponding figures for 1st January 1968 were 1,365 staff and 45 officers; the cost of salaries for 1967–68 is not readily available. The numbers of staff and offices reflect, and will continue to reflect, the work to be done.