HC Deb 16 February 1949 vol 461 cc1124-9
31 Sir Peter Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is aware of the indignation which has been caused by the terms of Gazette Notice No. 192 published in the "Gold Coast Gazette" on 1st February in which it is stated that there is to be revised immigration procedure which will apply, irrespective of nationality or race to British subjects as well as aliens; and what consultations took place before this procedure was announced;

(2) whether he is aware that under the new immigration procedure in the Gold Coast owners or partners in businesses or professions in the Gold Coast will now have to obtain re-entry permits before they leave that territory and that any new partners in a firm will have to show that the expansion of the business is in the economic interest of the Gold Coast before getting a permit to go there; and whether, in view of the unfortunate effect which these limitations will have on the proper development of the Gold Coast by private British interests, he will arrange for their reconsideration;

(3) whether he has approved the new ordinance in the Gold Coast under which wives accompanying their husbands to that territory will not be allowed to undertake any employment without the permission of the Gold Coast Government.

35 and 36. Captain John Crowder

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he is aware that under the new immigration procedure being applied ill the Gold Coast the children of British persons working there will not necessarily be permitted to stay after they have reached the age of 16, after which age they will be considered as if they were new immigrants and therefore on the same footing as aliens wishing to visit the colony; and whether he has approved such arrangements;

(2) whether he is aware that the new immigration procedure announced for the Gold Coast may oblige British subjects who go as temporary visitors to the Gold Coast to make a deposit or enter into a Bond and that conditions will be imposed preventing them from undertaking any employment locally; and whether he has approved such arrangements.

Mr. Creech Jones

I am aware of the points raised by hon. Members, but as they all bear on a matter of general policy I will state briefly the reasons why the Gold Coast Government has taken the action to which the Questions relate.

It is the settled policy of His Majesty's Government, in the Gold Coast as in other West African Territories, that the advancement of the African peoples shall be safeguarded not only in the political sphere, but also in the economic field, into which the African is now entering in increasing numbers with the growth of education. There is strong political feeling on this subject in the Gold Coast, and it is right that the Government should pay due regard to it.

There is nothing new in applying the Immigration Law in a Colonial Territory to immigrants from all countries or to providing in the law that the economic background of an intended immigrant, whether British or foreign, shall be examined in order to ensure that his intended occupation shall not conflict with the interests of the inhabitants. It was in accordance with this principle that the Gold Coast Government amended their immigration law in September of last year, with my agreement, to enable them to control the immigration of persons whose intended occupation might prove detrimental to the economic development of the inhabitants of the Gold Coast. In consequence of this amendment a directive was given by the Government to the immigration authorities and the Gazette Notice which is now in question is no more than a notification to the general public of the substance of that directive and the manner in which it will be operated. The terms of this Notice were referred to my Department before it was issued.

The Notice clearly states that it is not intended to apply the procedure in such a manner as to prevent private enterprise from playing a useful part in the development of the Gold Coast in spheres which the indigenous population is unwilling or unqualified to enter. Private businesses, firms and mining companies have played a great part in the development of the Territory; they have a great part to play in the future, and it is not in the interests of the Gold Coast, nor is it the intention of the Gold Coast Government, to make things difficult for them.

I understand that difficulties are felt in regard to the machinery by which the control is to be operated and in particular the quota system. 1 have little doubt that the Government decided to adopt this system in the belief that it would be less inconvenient to the firms concerned than a separate examination of each individual case. I am however asking the Acting Governor to consider the procedure further in the light of the criticisms which have been made and to discuss it with the interests concerned on the spot, if they so wish, in order to avoid interference with the conduct of their business. I shall also of course be glad to transmit to the Acting Governor any representations which may be made to me.

Sir P. Macdonald

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if he has given approval to this extraordinary document which I have in my hand; why it is not signed and who is responsible for it? What is the status of this immigration officer who is supposed to be responsible for operating this extraordinary directive, and is the directive in accordance with the British Nationality Act, which gives a British subject status not only in Great Britain but in the Colonial Empire?

Mr. Creech Jones

This is an indication of no new principle so far as nationality is concerned. If I can remember all the Questions which I have been asked—which I cannot—I would only say that it gives approval for the amending legislation. The paper referred to does not contain the regulations issued but is an indication to the public of how certain regulations are likely to apply and these, of course, were referred to my Department, but they did not call for my approval.

Captain Crowder

Is there any precedent for treating British subjects who want to go to the Gold Coast, as aliens?

Mr. Creech Jones

They are not treated as aliens. This discrimination does occur over quite a period in a great deal of Colonial legislation in regard to immigration.

Mr. Stanley

Was not the whole purpose of one Clause of the Act passed by the right hon. Gentleman's Government this summer to establish a common citizenship between citizens of the United Kingdom and of the Colonial territory, and in these circumstances how can there be discrimination between United Kingdom citizens entering into British Colonies, and how is it that they are not treated on the same lines as the other citizens?

Mr. Creech Jones

It is for this reason, among a number of reasons, that I have asked the Acting Governor of the Gold Coast to give this matter further consideration.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Does this new immigration procedure apply to Africans from Sierra Leone and Nigeria, and is this not rather strange at a time when closer union is in all our minds?

Mr. Creech Jones

It relates to all immigration into the Gold Coast. The primary purpose is to defend the economic interest of Africans, the indigenous inhabitants of the territories. I am very much concerned lest the new regulations interfere with normal trade and commerce and development of the territories, and for that reason I have asked that this matter should be looked at again.

Mr. George Wigg

Will my right hon. Friend make available in the Library a copy of the directive and of the Gazette Notice No. 192? It seems that hon. Gentlemen on the other side of the House have a considerable advantage over hon. Members on this side, in that they have possession of them and we have not.

Mr. Creech Jones

The actual instructions to the immigration officers have not yet been received in this country. What has been received is a copy of the "Gazette." What information is available shall be put in the Library.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is it not a fact that this ordinance prohibits the wives of business men in this Colony from taking up employment without permission, but imposes no similar restriction upon the wives of officials? If that is so, what is the reason for that discrimination?

Mr. Creech Jones

I think there is some misunderstanding in regard to that particular point in the proposed regulations. In order to make doubly certain that our view in London is the right one, this is one of the points which we are referring to the Acting Governor.

Sir P. Macdonald

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no such document as the one I hold in my hand is ever introduced again in any Colony without being signed? [HON. MEMBERS: "Read it."] It says: Gold Coast Gazette Extraordinary. Published by Authority. It is unsigned, and the Secretary of State for the Colonies does not know who is responsible for it. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us who is responsible for it? Will he find out who is responsible for this document and tell the House of Commons?

Mr. Creech Jones

I can only say that the paper was issued by the Gold Coast Government and that undoubtedly it is an authoritative statement by the Gold Coast Government.

Sir P. Macdonald

Why is it not signed?

Mr. Creech Jones

It must be remembered that in London I cannot control every detail of the actions of Colonial Governments, and indeed it would be folly of me to attempt to do so.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether similar discrimination against Gold Coast subjects coming into this country is to be imposed?

Mr. Keeling

In view of the big interests and investments of France and America in British West Africa, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether their Governments were consulted, because these regulations apply to their citizens?

Mr. Creech Jones

I can only say that the amending of the original ordinance was a matter entirely within the discretion of the Gold Coast Government and myself. The regulations which are to be made will be made under that ordinance.

Mr. Erroll

In promulgating this ordinance, are not the Government pandering to a small section of extremist opinion and acting against the interests of Gold Coast natives as a whole?

Mr. Creech Jones

I would not take that view myself. The purpose of the Amendment to the law is to meet the rising demand among Africans themselves that they should play a larger part in economic life and economic control in their own territory.

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