70th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks

Melanie Gower; Sarah Pepin

The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee.

The text of the motion is:

That this House notes the 70th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks carrying passengers from the Caribbean; further notes the critical role these passengers played in post-war reconstruction of the UK and in particular their work to support the establishment of the newly created NHS; recognises and celebrates the significant social, political and cultural contribution that passengers and ensuing generations have made and continue to make to communities across the UK.

Further information

22 June 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks. It was carrying passengers from the Caribbean who were responding to an invitation to come to the UK to address a post-WW2 labour shortage.

The arrival of the Windrush marked the start of a phase of Commonwealth migration which continued throughout the 1950s and 1960s until commencement of the Immigration Act 1971.

Windrush 70, Celebrating 70 years of Windrush

NHS, Windrush 70

BBC History, Windrush arrivals, the stories of seven Windrush passengers

Thurrock Council, The Empire Windrush and Tilbury Docks

Black History Month, Windrush – one chapter in a longer story

Parliamentary debate

MV “Empire Windrush”, HL Deb 18 January 2018 c47-63GC

News and blogs

Guardian, The Windrush scandal shows Britain desperately needs a migration museum, 30 April 2018

BBC News, Windrush: who exactly was on board?, 27 April 2018

David Olusoga, The Windrush story was not a rosy one even before the ship arrived, Guardian, 22 April 2018

BBC News, Windrush generation: who are they and why are they facing problems?, 18 April 2018