§ Mr. Tim Smithasked the Minister for Trade what were the international passenger survey figures for immigrants and emigrants by sea and air from and to the New Commonwealth in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981; and, of the immigrants, how many were work permit holders and how many were dependants.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI have been asked to reply.
The estimated number of migrants between the United Kingdom and the New Commonwealth were as follows: 421W
(thousands) 1978 1979 1980 1981 Immigrants* entering the United Kingdom: By sea — 2 2 2 By air 50 59 47 45 Total 50 61 48 47 Emigrants* departing from the United Kingdom: By sea — — 1 1 By air 26 26 33 27 Total 26 26 34 28 * An immigrant is defined as a person who, having resided abroad for at least one year, intends to spend a year more in the United Kingdom; and vice versa for an emigrant. The estimates refer to migrants whose last or next residence was a New Commonwealth country. These figures are derived from the international passenger survey. The number of work permit holders and dependants is published in table 1 of the annual Home Office volumes "Control of Immigration: Statistics" —1981 issue published as Cmnd. 8533.