Gibraltarians (Immigration) (Hansard, 14 December 1967)

§ 13. Sir F. Bennett
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now relax the application of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act affecting Gibraltarians.

§ Mr. Ennals
I cannot at present add anything to the reply which was given to a similar Question asked by the hon. Member on 26th October.—[Vol. 751, c. 525.]

§ Sir F. Bennett
Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that a few months ago a much more hopeful reply was made by one of his colleagues? Is he not further aware that the total population of Gibraltar is only half that of immigration from other countries which have not voted to retain close ties with this country but the very opposite? Is not the hon. Gentleman prepared to do something to help the loyal and devoted people of Gibraltar who are feeling claustrophobic and are kept interned on the Rock because of the Government's failure to protect them?

§ Mr. Ennals
I do not accept the last part of that supplementary question. Of course, we have sympathy with the Gibraltarians. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the referendum was concerned with the present relationship with the United Kingdom. It did not deal with immigration policy. On the possibilities regarding employment vouchers, we are giving immediate attention to whether there is any additional assistance we can give to Gibraltar.

§ Mr. Braine
In view of the figures given by the Minister of Labour on 30th November, which revealed that the proportion of Spaniards admitted to this country last year vastly exceeded the proportion of Gibraltarians who succeeded in getting work permits, surely there is unfair discrimination against Commonwealth citizens. Will the hon. Gentleman look at this again?

§ Mr. Ennals
It is only partly a matter for my right hon. Friend, but we are looking at the question of labour vouchers, and, of course, there is no difficulty as far as visitors are concerned.

§ Sir F. Bennett
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment.