asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sources of information and what methods are employed by his Department in detecting illegal immigrants; if he is satisfied with the current rate of detection and the methods employed; and if he will make a statement.

Information on possible illegal entrants is received from a number of sources, but mainly from the police and members of the public. Illegal entrants may also come to notice when applying to the Home Office for leave to remain or for registration or naturalisation. The immigration service, in conjunction with the police where appropriate, investigates such cases fully, and the number of illegal entrants traced in recent years are set out in table 15 of "Control of Immigration Statistics 1981"—Cmnd. 8533—published in April. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that this work is carried out effectively in an efficient, but humane, manner consistent with the Government's commitment to take firm action against illegal entrants.