HC Deb 06 February 1980 vol 978 cc220-1W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he expects to be in a position under current arrangements to estimate the rate of illegal immigration by June 1981.

Mr. Raison

No. It is not possible to estimate reliably the number of those who enter illegally—whether clandestinely or by deception. Experience suggests that attempting to estimate evasion through prolonged overstaying is likely to be expensive and of limited value. It will probably be preferable to use the available resources to tackle the problem directly by inquiring more effectively into particular cases.

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