§ 11. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the talks he has had since 21st November with Ministers in the Australian, Canadian and New Zealand Governments about immigration rules for the United Kingdom.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI have not yet had an opportunity to talk with Ministers of the new Governments of Australia and New Zealand but am in touch with them on these matters through the normal diplomatic channels. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister had an opportunity to talk to Mr. Trudeau.
§ Mr. MartenIs my right hon. Friend aware that on this side of the House there are many of us who want the subjects of Her Majesty the Queen, particularly those in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, to enjoy the right of residence and employment in the United Kingdom no less favourably than citizens from the Common Market?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI think this is the sort of question that we shall take up with the Ministers concerned in the new Governments when those Governments are appointed. I quite understand the emphasis which has been put in this House on questions of reciprocity, but we have to find out the view of the new Prime Ministers in those countries before we can make certain what we do.
§ Mr. KaufmanDoes not the right hon. Gentleman regard it as lunatic that from 1st January Commonwealth citizens, including those mentioned by the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten), will have very great difficulty in being admitted to this country whereas citizens of Réunion, Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana will be able to have free entry to come and look for work in this 13 country without even having a job to come to? Is not this intolerable?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe recent debate will be very much within the recollection of the House. As I say this question, apart from the treatment of Australians and New Zealanders at airports and ports of entry here, concentrates on those people in Australia and New Zealand who, for one reason or another, are refused permanent entry. That relates to one in 200 applicants. There may or may not be good reasons, but this is the kind of matter which we must take up with the two Governments concerned.
§ Mr. PowellHas my right hon. Friend any reason for supposing that the Governments of those three countries would object to their citizens being given the same rights in this country as citizens of the EEC countries?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe immigration policies of Australia, Canada and New Zealand are different. I think we had better examine how far the Prime Ministers and other Ministers in these countries are ready to discuss the details of immigration policy in relation to the change of rules, which is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. We must have discussions with these Ministers before we can make up our minds what can be done.
§ 27. Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the dates of dispatch of the invitations to Commonwealth Governments for talks with Her Majesty's Government on immigration and emigration policies, and the replies received.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has recently discussed the matter with Mr. Trudeau. We are also in touch with other Commonwealth Governments interested in this matter.
§ Mr. WarrenDelighted as I am to hear that contact has been established, is my right hon. Friend aware that many people in Britain believe that the immigration doors of this country are still too wide open to abuse and that there is an urgent need to conclude the talks?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeYes, Sir. We shall not lose time, but the Australian 14 Government are not yet formed and the New Zealand Government are very new.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that this would be a constructive approach not merely to the Australian and Canadian Governments but to the Indian, Pakistani and other Governments? To bring them into discussions now might prevent serious trouble later throughout the world and in our own country. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will pursue this approach.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeWe are holding discussions with various Common-wealth Governments, and not only the Governments of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The hon. Gentleman will realise how complicated a question it is. He is right to say that the conversations should be extended.
§ Mr. MartenMay we have an assurance that when the immigration rules are reintroduced the Commonwealth and EEC rules will be reintroduced together and not separately?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThat must be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.