§ 42. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Labour how many applications for permits under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act have been received, and how many granted, up to the latest convenient date, by the High Commissioner in Kingston, Jamaica; and what special office and staff has been established there for this business.
§ Mr. HareThe Jamaican Government have set up special machinery to handle2W applications for vouchers and the distribution of vouchers to applicants. The British High Commission in Kingston has certain functions but no special office or staff are required for this. Up to 28th June, 1963, 4,565 applications for vouchers for Jamaicans had been received by my Ministry, and 3,084 vouchers had ben issued.
§ 43. Mr. Chapmanasked the Minister of Labour what at present is the average interval between receipt and granting of applications for entry vouchers from Commonwealth citizens in the category, under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, of those without special skills or independent means of support; and if he will give figures showing how this interval varies for differing Commonwealth territories.
§ Mr. HareVouchers are at present being issued to persons without special skills or jobs to come to who applied six months ago. The interval between receipt of application and the issue of a voucher will, however, increase substantially in the future because of the large number of persons who have applied since the beginning of this year. Applications are dealt with on the basis of"first come, first served", irrespective of the Commonwealth territory from which they come, and the latter part of the question does not therefore arise.