Preparations for Windrush arrivals

Minutes from the Welfare Department of the Colonial Office 26 May 1948. Catalogue ref: CO 876/88 

  • Why were the Home Office, Colonial Office and Ministry of Labour present at this meeting? 
  • What plans were discussed for the arrival of 350 Jamaicans for their employment and accommodation in and outside London? 
  • What appear to be the main concerns of the meeting? 

Transcript

MINUTES

MEETING HELD IN THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF THE COLONIAL OFFICE 26th MAY 1948

Present

Mr. L.S. Smith, Colonial Office (Chairman)

Mr. G.C. Wilson, Ministry of Labour

Home Office, Immigration Branch:
Mr. S.E. Dudley
Mr. C.P. J. Ruck

Colonial Office:
Mr. S.E. Southgate
Mr. I.G. Cummings
Mr. M. Jewell
Mr. R.E.C. Young

The Chairman said the question for discussion was what was to be done with the 350 or more Jamaicans who would arrive from the Colony on the “Empire Windrush” seeking employment in the U.K.

Before the main discussion was begun, the question of dealing with stowaways was referred to and Mr. Dudley said that the Home Office would not consider the matter of legislation to deal with such people.

Mr. Dudley said that the Home Office was only concerned with the admission of these Jamaicans into this country and not with what became of them.

Mr Wilson said that he had been exploring the possibilities of employment for these men particularly in agriculture, including fruit picking, and said that there was not much hope of employment in the North of England. The kind of particulars so far supplied by the Colonial Government did not help the Ministry very much. The difficulty was not only to find suitable employment but to satisfy the employers as well. London was the best area, but accommodation was the problem. He suggested that the Ministry of Health should be informed of this matter and be invited to get in touch with the London County Council with a view to the men who are found employment, being housed in hostels; and also that some one should be at the ship when it arrives to explain matters to the men, find out what their occupations were and direct them to appropriate Employment Exchanges. Mr. Wilson was requested to look into the position as regards the building industry.

Mr. Cummings raised the question of having a special Employment Exchange to deal with these people, but Mr. Wilson, did not favour this suggestion and mentioned that it would lead to charges of segregation.

The Chairman concluded the meeting by saying that the Ministry of Health and the L.C.C. would be fully informed of the position and contact with the Ministry of Labour maintained.

Return to Commonwealth migration since 1945