HC Deb 12 June 1969 vol 784 c291W
Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that the additional staff sent to the British High Commission offices in India and Pakistan to administer the new entry certificate procedures possess an adequate working knowledge of the languages of the intending immigrants.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Interpreters are available at all the offices to which the additional staff are being sent, and it is not essential for them to have a knowledge of a local language.

Mr. Hunt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why no additional staff are being sent to British High Commission offices in the Caribbean to assist with the administration of the new entry certificate procedures for intending West Indian immigrants to Great Britain.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Because dependants coming for settlement from the West Indies have in practice hitherto required entry certificates for travel to the United Kingdom, and our offices there have been staffed accordingly.