HC Deb 19 June 1969 vol 785 c671
4. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the policy of making it mandatory for dependants of Commonwealth citizens to have entry certificates before being able to come to the United Kingdom; and what replies he has sent.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Merlyn Rees)

I have written to my hon. Friend about representations from the National Council of Civil Liberties, and similar replies have been sent to the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and the Yorkshire Committee for Community Relations. The few other communications received have been in support of the change.

Mr. Winnick

is my hon. Friend satisfied that under the new system genuine dependants of Commonwealth immigrants in Britain will have no more difficulty in coming to this country than before? Second, is it possible for the Select Committee on Race Relations to visit the countries concerned?

Mr. Rees

In general, the answer to the first part of the question is "Yes". The second part of the question is not a matter for my right hon. Friend.