HC Deb 15 February 1968 vol 758 cc1560-1
7. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, having regard to the welcome and assistance given citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who emigrate from Great Britain to Canada, Australia and New Zealand, he will seek to relax restrictions on entry and terms of residence imposed upon Her Majesty's subjects from those realms under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act.

Mr. Ennals

I would refer to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Dorking (Sir G. Sinclair) on 14th December, and to my speech in the debate on Commonwealth immigration on 21st December.—[Vol. 756, c. 193, c. 1513–36.]

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Would not it be appropriate to distinguish between fellow subjects of the Queen and citizens of republics which may not give us reciprocity?

Mr. Ennals

The hon. Gentleman's Question refers to the old Commonwealth countries. There is no basis of comparison between those countries, which are seeking to attract immigrants, and this country, which obviously is not doing so.