HC Deb 02 May 1961 vol 639 cc1127-8
41. Mr. Chapman

asked the Prime Minister what discussions he had with President Kennedy about the effect under the McCarran-Walter Act upon West Indian migration to the United States of the forthcoming independent status of the West Indies Federation.

The Prime Minister

As I have already told the House in answer to several Questions, I do not think it right in any statements to the House after discussions like those I recently had with President Kennedy to go beyond the points contained in or arising out of the joint communiqué.

Nevertheless, I think it would be no breach of confidence to say that the British Government have already made representations to the American Administration in connection with the problem of West Indian migration to the United States, having regard to new legislation before Congress.

The United States have made it clear—for example, in the statement made by the former United States Ambassador in London during recent talks in Tobago about the new West Indian bases agreement—that they are deeply concerned to promote the welfare of the West Indian people.

Mr. Chapman

Does the Prime Minister agree with my interpretation of the existing legislation, that is, that it is possible that a quota will be offered to the West Indies Federation when it becomes independent? Secondly, is the right hon. Gentleman saying that there is new legislation before Congress which will make that even more possible? Thirdly, if neither of those assumptions is true, will the right hon. Gentleman increase the pressure as much as possible on the American Administration to relax restriction on West Indian immigration so that America can again become a place to which many West Indians can go as they have gone in the past?

The Prime Minister

There are two quite separate problems which the hon. Member has in mind. One is the actual interpretation of the relevant United States legislation if and when the time comes that the West Indian Federation comes into being. Is it to be considered as a unit taking the place of the previous arrangements? There is another question to which, through the ordinary channels, we have called attention and have made our views known to the American Government, hoping that they may see their way to raise the total, quite apart from the question of interpretation.