§ 8. Dr. Grayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what administrative arrangements have been agreed by the Governments of Kenya and Great Britain concerning the Asian holders of British passports in Kenya; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitlockArrangements were agreed in Delhi on 25th of July, 1968, by British and Indian officials to facilitate the entry into India of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies of Indian origin resident in Kenya. Under these arrangements, a person denied permits for residence or for the practice of his trade or profession or whose livelihood is curtailed by a restriction of the right to trade in specified goods of any description and having of necessity to live elsewhere and wishing to go to India may apply to the British High Commission for an endorsement in his passport showing his right of entry into the United Kingdom. If he is not otherwise disqualified from entry into India, the Indian High Commission will then issue an entry visa with a view to his possible eventual settlement there.
§ Dr. GrayCan my hon. Friend say what he is doing about Asian holders of British passports who are being asked to apply for visas by such countries as West Germany instead of being treated as ordinary holders of British passports are?
§ Mr. WhitlockThat is an entirely different question.
§ Mr. Frederic HarrisIs it not a fact to say that the very considerable worries Asians in Kenya held in the early part of this year on this matter have now eased off very considerably?
§ Mr. WhitlockThat is true. There was a panic exodus at that time, but the anticipated withdrawal of residence permits by Kenya has not eventuated on the scale which was thought likely.