HC Deb 28 October 1971 vol 823 cc2063-4
13. Mr. Bidwell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has reconsidered registration with the police for future non-patrial Commonwealth workers entering this country under the Immigration Bill.

Mr. Sharples

Commonwealth citizens will not now be required to register with the police.

Mr. Bidwell

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I welcome this announcement about which I first read in the Sunday Times, indicating a promised change of heart on the part of the Home Secretary as opposed to the strenuous view taken by some of his hon. Friends who were members of the Standing Committee? Does the hon. Gentleman agree that there are problems about any other form of registration and will he undertake to draw the attention of the appropriate department to the necessity for an early announcement about other forms of registration?

Mr. Sharples

We are considering alternative forms of registration and looking carefully into the question of the registration of aliens.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

May I say how grateful we on this side of the House are that the Government have changed their mind, albeit at a late stage? When are we to know the rules about work permit holders of all sorts, because they are the basis of immigration? We know about the Bill but not about the rules which will be applied.

Mr. Sharples

The rules will be laid before Parliament and will be subject to the negative procedure.