HC Deb 04 December 1972 vol 847 cc299-301W
79. Mr. Loveridge

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the regulations for admission of United Kingdom citizens into Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and show how these differ from the admission to the United Kingdom of their nationals for entry either for vacation, work, or permanent settlement.

Mr. Kershaw

The legislation and regulations referred to are complex and lengthy and would therefore seem unsuitable for publication as requested. They are, however, available to hon. Members in the Library of the House. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 30th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten).—[Vol. 847, c. 215.]

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions and on what dates during the past 12 months he has had discussions with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Canada for the purpose of discussing immigration problems; and to what extent he consulted these Governments on the orders before they were introduced into the House of Commons on Wednesday, 22nd November, 1972.

Mr. Kershaw

We have had no discussions with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Canada during the past 12 months specifically for the purpose of discussing immigration problems. We did not consult those Governments about the immigration rules before they were laid before the House. The rules are primarily the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with other Commonwealth countries since 22nd November concerning the rights of Commonwealth citizens to enter Great Britain.

Mr. Kershaw

I would refer to the answer I gave on this subject today to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Arthur Lewis).

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, during his forthcoming discussions with representatives of Commonwealth Governments regarding immigration problems, he will suggest a system of reciprocal immigration and emigration with Australia, New Zealand, Canada, West Indies, Malta, Mauritius, Brunei, Fiji and all Commonwealth countries on exactly the same terms as those agreed to with the eight countries of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Kershaw

We consider that it would be useful to have consultations with other Commonwealth Governments on immigration matters but it would not be profitable to speculate at this stage about the lines that such consultations might follow.