Shipley Tory MP Philip Davies has called for an urgent debate on immigration.

Mr Davies said the Office for National Statistics figures showed the population will grow by ten million in the next 25 years.

Speaking at business questions in the House of Commons, Mr Davies said: “Given that two- thirds of the increase will be the result of immigration, may we have an urgent topical debate on immigration? It is not the BBC’s fault that the BNP is on Question Time – it is the fault of this Government who have allowed uncontrolled immigration and will not even debate the subject.”

Commons leader Harriet Harman said Mr Davies should recognise the major contribution to this country that immigrants have made over the centuries and are making now.

She added: “We have not allowed uncontrolled immigration. We have implemented new border controls through the work of the UK Border Agency and introduced a points system and new biometric visa processes.

“It is the case that between now and 2035 the UK population is set to grow by 16 per cent, but that compares with world population growth of 24 per cent, so our population growth rate will be lower than the global rate.

“People are living longer and the context is that of global migration.”

Miss Harman said Mr Davies should raise his concerns again at Home Office questions.