§ 42. Sir C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in his discussions about Great Britain's entry into the European Common Market, he will make it an absolute condition that the coloured immigrants settled here will be entitled freely to live in any of the Common Market countries, no matter how numerous they become in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. MulleyNo, Sir.
§ Sir C. OsborneWhy not? In view of the fact that there are a million coloured immigrants here already, will the right hon. Gentleman not press that there should be as little anti-racialism in Europe as there is in this country? Why not protect them?
§ Mr. MulleyThe hon. Gentleman has entirely misinterpreted the policy of the Community regarding the free movement of labour. It is not anti-racial in character, as he suggests. The right of free movement depends not on residence or previous employment but on nationality. There is, of course, a number of immigrants in this country who are already United Kingdom citizens or who have a sufficient residence to become citizens, and in this case they would then have the right of free movement throughout the Community. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister went into this important question—I agree that it is an important question—in the debate in May.