§ Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the Control of Immigration Statistics for 1977; and how these figures compare with those for 1976.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe usual quarterly summary giving the main figures for 1977 is being issued today and placed with a commentary in the Library. Next month more detailed information for 1977 by country will be published in the annual Command Paper and the usual detailed tables for the fourth quarter of 1977 will be placed in the Library.
The total number of Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals accepted for settlement fell from 80,745 in 1976 to 69,313 in 1977. Within the total acceptances in 1977 of 69,313, nearly two thirds—64 per cent—were citizens of New Commonwealth countries and Pakistan. The number of citizens of New Commonwealth countries and Pakistan accepted for settlement in 1977 was 44,155–20 per cent. fewer than in 1976 when the figure was 55,013. Further details will be found in the summary which, as usual, also includes information on admissions of work permit holders and on illegal entrants.