§ 26. Mr. Weatherillasked the Minister of Labour if he will give priority to the granting of work permits to young people of British descent who wish to join their families now resident in Great Britain but are unable to do so as a result of immigration controls.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. E. Fernyhough)The immigration control already 30 makes due allowance for claims to admission based on British descent or family unity, and I do not think it would be appropriate, in addition, to grant priority on those grounds when issuing vouchers.
§ Mr. WeatherillIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many young children of people of Anglo-British descent—if that is the right term to use—are kept apart from their families as a result of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act and that we owe a considerable debt of gratitude to the Anglo communities throughout the world who helped us in the past to run and sustain our Empire? Does he not think that some consideration should be given to these people of British descent?
§ Mr. FernyhoughConsideration is, of course, given, as I have indicated. Those under the age of 16 are allowed to come in without any difficulty at all. Special dispensation is generally given to those between 16 and 18, and up to the age of 21 this is also given if they are dependants. If they are not dependants but are already in employment, then it would be unfair to other Commonwealth citizens who have applied for vouchers if we gave them priority in the sense in which the hon. Gentleman is asking for priority to be given.