HC Deb 20 March 1980 vol 981 cc251-2W
Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will not submit the proposition of the States of Guernsey regarding that island's housing control laws for the approval of Her Majesty in Council until the proposition has been debated by the House.

Mr. Brittan

No such proposition has yet been submitted to the Home Secretary. It is not the practice for petitions from the States of Guernsey to Her Majesty in Council praying for Royal Assent to insular legislation to be debated by this House.

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to introduce reciprocal legislation in the United Kingdom so that Channel Islands and Manx-born citizens of the Crown may enjoy the same sort of restrictions concerning housing and employment as United Kingdom-born British citizens enjoy in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Mr. Brittan

No. The circumstances that make such controls necessary in the Islands do not in general apply in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the Administrations of the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man with regard to the new immigration controls proposed by Her Majesty's Government; whether these new controls will be extended to the islands; and if so, whether any amendments due to local circumstances or representations will be made.

Mr. Brittan

There have been no discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the authorities in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man about the statement of changes in Immigration Rules, which was laid before Parliament on 20 February 1980. Under the Immigration Act 1971, as extended to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man by Orders in Council, it is for the Islands authorities to consider the application to their territories of these changes in immigration rules. I do not know whether any amendments due to local circumstances or representations will be made.

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the housing laws and immigration controls now operated in the bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey do not breach any international obligations or conventions.

Mr. Brittan

Yes.