§ 42. Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what is the position of Gibraltarians about entering the United Kingdom, in the light of the negotiations held in Gibraltar in July and later developments; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. William Whitlock)The position remains the same as it was on 23rd May, when my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary stated in Gibraltar that he was satisfied that within the present number of vouchers available to the whole Commonwealth tinder the Commonwealth Immigrants Acts all the Gibraltarians who wished to come to Britain would be able to do so. Between that date and 30th September, 13 vouchers were issued to Gibraltarians. One application was outstanding, but the voucher has now been issued. No applications were refused.
§ Sir W. TeelingDoes the Under-Secretary of State realise that there is a feeling in Gibraltar that we are not hurrying very much over the decisions made at that time? Can he assure us that the matter will be quickly dealt with to cover not only these people but everyone else concerned, especially the local Indians?
§ Mr. WhitlockThe position is that all those who wish to come can do so under the provisions of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act. Under the proposals put forward in February, there is now a special quota for people from dependent territories, and under that special quota all those wishing to come to this country from Gibraltar can do so.