Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book assesses a range of responses among the host population to the various groups in respect to allegations that they constituted unfair competition for resources; including housing and employment, alongside the allegation that they avoided military service. It focuses on aliens legislation explores expanding government control over the movement, employment and residency rights of all foreign nationals during and immediately after the end of the war. The book discusses government initiatives in the war years, which became staging posts in the evolution of the policy of repatriation. It explores the implementation and mechanics of the various government repatriation proposals to remove colonial and friendly migrants and refugees. The book explores the ad hoc repatriation scheme devised in response to the seaport riots as a way of removing black African, Caribbean and Arab colonial workers, principally merchant sailors, from the British labour market.