§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the immigration statistics for the first quarter of 1982 show that his policy of reducing and controlling the level of immigration into the United Kingdom is being achieved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonUnder the present Government the level of immigration has been reduced. The number of persons accepted for settlement in the first quarter of this year was 13,300, the lowest figure for this quarter since 1973. The number of applicants in the queues for entry clearance for immediate settlement in the Indian sub-continent was 13,400 at the end of the quarter, which was less than half the number in the queues at 31 March 1980. The Government remain committed to firm immigration control.