HC Deb 19 December 1974 vol 883 cc1799-800
9. Mr. Dodsworth

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider a review of the regulations governing entry into the United Kingdom by Commonwealth citizens from Australia and New Zealand in order to facilitate access.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

No, Sir. Our policy is not to discriminate in relation to the admission of Commonwealth citizens on grounds of race, colour, religion or country of origin.

Mr. Dodsworth

Is the Minister aware that his decision will be received with great regret by non-patriates who have had the opportunity over the years of spending an extended working holiday of 18 or 24 months in this country? Although that opportunity is freely available to first generation Australians and New Zealanders, it is not available to third and fourth generation Australians and New Zealanders. Will the hon. Gentleman consider making reciprocal arrangements, so that people will feel welcome in what they regard as their mother country?

Mr. Lyon

I think the hon. Gentleman is wrong in what he says, but I will look at this. I think that the working holiday concession is available to any Commonwealth citizen irrespective of whether he is first, second, third or fourth generation. So far this year we have allowed 135,000 people in from Australia and refused only 14. From New Zealand we have allowed in 31,000 and refused only three. I doubt whether there is any real reason for complaint.

Mrs. Hayman

Is my hon. Friend aware that his statement will be welcomed by many hon. Members as a reiteration of the Government's policy of non-discrimination between black and white members of the Commonwealth? Many of us are disturbed about the way in which the immigration laws are operated against the black citizens of the Commonwealth. Will my hon. Friend assure the House that in any further concessions no special preference will be given to Australia, New Zealand or anywhere else in the white Commonwealth?

Mr. Lyon

I thought I made clear that no special concession is made to one part of the Commonwealth as distinct from any other part. As long as I have anything to do with the matter that will remain the position. We are quite clear that there should be no discrimination in the individual cases which come before us.

Mr. Lane

The Minister confirmed that the Government are carrying on the previous Government's policy in this respect, in which we support him. While he is rightly concerned with the efficiency of the entry arrangements for people entitled to come here, whether from Australia, New Zealand, the Indian subcontinent, or anywhere else, will he assure the House that the Government will give equal attention to improving the arrangements for keeping out people who are not entitled to come here from any source?

Mr. Lyon

We are continually improving our methods of dealing with illegal immigration. Only last week we announced a change in the regulations concerning the filling in of application forms when people arrive in this country. The changes are designed to increase our checks against illegal immigration. In those circumstances, I do not think that the hon. Gentleman has much to complain of.