§ 2.49 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they propose to take to meet the difficulties of Asians in Kenya and Uganda holding British passports who are denied opportunities of a livelihood in those countries.]
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, we are, of course, aware of the difficulties which some holders of British passports in Kenya and Uganda are encountering and the voucher system enables a regular flow of such persons to come to this country, including those in the greatest need. They are also entitled to come here with employment vouchers but, up to the present, very few have done so. 812 For the benefit of those of Indian origin wishing to settle in India, we reached an understanding with the Indian authorities whereby they could be given long-term entry visas with a view to settlement.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware, first, that I welcome his return?—and perhaps I may say something about that later. Is the noble Lord also aware that I had intended to raise the question of Miss Vaid on this issue, but I understand that the matter will come before the House later? Therefore, I content myself by asking this question. Are not these people British citizens? Do they not hold a British passport, which, in the name of Her Majesty, asks all those whom it may concern "to allow the bearer to pass freely, without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary"? Is the treatment of these people who hold this passport consistent with that pledge given in the name of the Crown?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, my noble friend has read out quite accurately what is on the passport. But as he, and I am sure the whole House, is aware, we have problems. In view of the demands made on the various services in our large conurbations it has become necessary to put some restriction upon the entry into this country of these citizens from East Africa. The case of the particular lady the noble Lord has in mind is, I gather, to be raised later by means of a Private Notice Question, to which an Answer will be given.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, is it not true that the total Commonwealth immigrant quota has not anything like been taken up? Is it not possible, by having some more flexibility between the special vouchers and the employment vouchers, to ease this particular problem at the present time?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, there are various factors which Her Majesty's Government are continuously considering. This is one of the matters we have in mind, but I am not in a position to make a statement.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, does it not invalidate the noble Lord's Answer when he says that we have to put a brake on this particular type of immigration, yet, 813 at the same time, under the Commonwealth immigrant quota he has something like 10,000 vouchers to play with?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, the noble Lord will be aware that applications are made under the A and B voucher system, and it is not until many months later that we know whether the vouchers have been taken up by the applicants. It is only in the course of months that we know what is the size of immigration into the country.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, have Her Majesty's Government represented to the Government of Kenya that their discrimination against Asians there does not help the cause of interracial harmony in the rest of the world?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, our views on this are known to both the Kenya and Uganda Governments.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is it not the case that, of the 8,500 employment vouchers available, only 4,010 have been taken up? Is it not the case that the Home Secretary has said that the figure for special vouchers is not rigid, but is flexible in relation to circumstances? Under these conditions, is it not possible to allocate places to be used by these British citizens to come to this country, especially in view of the fact of last night's announcement that the number of Commonwealth immigrants in 1969 was down by almost one-third on the 1968 figure?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, if the noble Lord will refer to the answer that I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Byers, he will see that I have said that we are considering ways and means. But it is a very difficult problem.
§ BARONESS STOCKSMy Lords, in view of the fact that what is called "national prestige" is still a matter of some concern to some people, do Her Majesty's Government regard it as conductive to national prestige that holders of British passports should be wandering about the world like Flying Dutchmen begging hospitality from "lesser breeds without the law"?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, that is the sort of question which no doubt will get the headlines, but the fact is that 814 these people who are floating about Europe are people who have jumped the queue. The whole question then arises as to whether they should gain admittance because they have jumped the queue and caused problems, whereas others have remained in Kenya and Uganda awaiting their turn.
§ LORD AIREDALEMy Lords, does not the noble Lord's reply overlook the point made by my noble friend Lord Byers, that there does not seem to be much of a queue?
§ LORD HANKEYMy Lords, is the discrimination against these people in Kenya and Uganda because they hold British passports, or is it racial—because they are Asians?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, it has nothing to do with racial discrimination. Those of Asian origin who became Kenyan citizens have not been involved. There are many Asians who have not become Kenyan citizens and are still in Kenya and Uganda, and no particular threat is being made to them. There are certain others who fall into the particular categories in which Kenyanisation is involved, and it is these people who are in present difficulties.