HL Deb 06 April 1911 vol 7 cc1085-6
LORD AMPTHILL

Lords, I rise to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies—

  • 1. Whether the Immigration Bill recently introduced into the Parliament of the Union of South Africa had previously been approved of by His Majesty's Government, and whether the measure referred to imposes or may impose any disabilities upon the British Indians lawfully domiciled in the Cape and Natal provinces, from which they were free under the Immigration Laws of these States which are repealed by the new Bill.
  • 2. Whether the Immigration Laws of the Cape and Natal repealed or about to be repealed by the new Immigration Law of the South African Union Parliament exempted domiciled British Indian residents, their wives and children, from the tests imposed upon fresh immigrants; and whether it is a fact that under the new law such people, once they are out of the Union may be prevented returning if they fail to pass any education test the Immigration Officer chooses to apply to them.
My noble friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whom I venture to congratulate on his translation to a new and no less important, and, I hope, equally congenial, sphere of public service, has kindly promised to answer my Questions at short notice, and therefore I shall not extend them by any comment. I merely ask the noble Lord to kindly answer the Questions as they stand on the Paper.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (LORD LUCAS)

My Lords, the Bill, as is shown by the Parliamentary Paper Cd. 5579, was submitted to His Majesty's Government in draft. Various Amendments were suggested, subject to which His Majesty's Government have accepted the Bill as redressing the grievances of the Indian community with regard to immigration, to which Lord Crewe's despatch of October 7 was particulary directed. Since the Parliamentary Paper was published the Minister of the Interior has given notice of an addition to Clause 5 of the Bill for the purpose of clearly securing the rights of domiciled Indians, their wives and children. Clause 25, section 2, of the Bill makes it possible for any person lawfully resident in the country who wishes to leave it for a time to obtain a permit ensuring that he will be readmitted on his return, and if he has omitted to obtain this permit the addition to Clause 5 provides for readmission if domiciled without any educational test.