§ 1. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in the discussions with other Commonwealth Governments on the problem of immigration into this country; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Arthur Bottomley)I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 24th November that I had nothing to add to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd) on 17th November. This is still the position.
§ Mr. HamiltonI am not too well acquainted with the contents of that Answer. Can my right hon. Friend say whether negotiations are still continuing with the Commonwealth Governments and whether at this stage he can say what the response has been, particularly from the Indian, Pakistan and West Indian Governments, to my right hon. Friend's proposals.
§ Mr. BottomleyDiscussions are still continuing, and at this stage I have nothing further to add.
§ Mr. Geoffrey LloydDoes the right hon. Gentleman now appreciate the advantages of the Commonwealth Immigration Act which is protecting the country from an undue flood of immigration while the right hon. Gentleman pursues his negotiations?
§ Mr. BottomleyAs I have said, the negotiations are still continuing and until they are finalised there is nothing further to add.