HC Deb 09 July 1981 vol 8 cc561-2
1. Mr. Montgomery

Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to bring forward his proposals for the compilation of a register of those entitled to enter the United Kingdom for settlement as dependants of immigrants already in the United Kingdom.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Timothy Raison

As we have said on previous occasions, the Government decided that changes in the immigration rules and in nationality law should take priority, and we do not foresee the opportunity for legislation on a register arising in the near future.

Mr. Montgomery

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is grossly unfair to keep the people of this country in ignorance of the total number of people around the world who are entitled to come and settle here legally? Does he not feel that there should be second thoughts on this matter and that the register should be introduced during the next parliamentary Session?

Mr. Raison

The objective of establishing the scale of potential immigration into this country remains, but we are considering whether there are more economical ways of achieving it.

Mr. Tilley

Does the Minister agree that, since corning to office, the Government have realised that this would be a bureaucratic nightmare, that it would involve a great deal of civil servants' time and that it would be racially discriminatory in its effect as it would deal almost exclusively with people coming from the Indian Subcontinent? Why does the hon. Gentleman not take this opportunity to say that the Government have scrapped the plan? Does he agree that this would be an easy and quick way of giving a little reassurance to the ethnic minorities in this country who feel so threatened by this and other proposals of the Government?

Mr. Raison

I do not accept what the hon. Gentleman says, but it is a fact that the economic and practical considerations of this matter have to be studied carefully.

Mr. Thomas Cox

Is the Minister aware that this type of question has appalling effects on black and Asian people who have a perfect right to live here? When shall we stop calling people immigrants? This is what they find so offensive and what they regard as showing lack of respect to them.

Mr. Raison

My hon. Friend was entitled to ask that question.