HC Deb 17 February 1969 vol 778 cc14-5
8. Mr. Lane

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with other Commonwealth countries, since the Prime Ministers' Conference, about problems of migration and nationality; and whether he will make a statement.

39. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement about his bilateral talks on migration with the East African and Indian Governments.

Mr. M. Stewart

The bilateral talks on Commonwealth immigration, to which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister referred in his answer to Questions on 21st January—[Vol. 776, c. 253.]—have not yet taken place.

We hope that we shall be able to start these talks in the near future.

Mr. Lane

As progress with this problem could be of considerable help towards the maintenance of racial harmony in this country, would the Government pursue these consultations with the greatest urgency, and would the right hon. Gentleman undertake to keep the House regularly informed about their progress, in view of the great public interest?

Mr. Stewart

We shall do our best to make the speediest progress that we can, and I will see that the House is kept informed.

Mr. Fisher

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that, given good will on all sides, there is a possibility of a solution, provided that the Kenya Government do not deport too many Asians too quickly, that the Indian Government give a proportion of them a temporary haven, and that the British Government accept their ultimate responsibility for these British citizens?

Mr. Stewart

I think that the spirit of that is the right approach. There is a contribution which several Commonwealth countries can make to the solution of this problem.