asked the Prime Minister whether, pending further research and consultation on the problem of immigration into the United Kingdom, he will now withdraw the latest White Paper on the subject.

No, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that adequate research and consultation took place before the statistics in the White Paper were arrived at? Can he assure the House that the policy contained in the White Paper is not rigid and that before its implementation the House will have a chance to debate the White Paper?

I cannot believe that there is any subject in recent times which has had more research, more discussion and more careful consideration than this one. The White Paper was put forward as a result of that. I should think that the House is most likely to be debating the matter in the near future.