§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all current instructions and guidelines issued to immigration officials by his Department; and if he will deposit a copy of each in the Library.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe rules laid down by the Secretary of State as to the practice to be followed by immigration officers and other officials in the administration of the Immigration Act 1971 are contained in the Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules (HC 169). More detailed guidance is given in general instructions to the immigration service, issued in accordance with paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 2 of the 1971 Act, and in immigration department staff instructions. These instructions are supplemented by immigration officer circulars and interim staff instructions respectively.
It has been the practice of successive Governments not to make public the detailed instructions which are issued to immigration officers and other officials, since this could enable people to evade immigration control.