§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that many people from the Western and Arabian world are allowed to settle in the United Kingdom for long and indefinite periods of time, and some permanently, whereas others from the Eastern, Far East and African countries are barred; why this difference of treatment is meted out; and, for the longest and most convenient stated periods of time, if he will give details of persons allowed to come and remain in the United Kingdom under the categories and arrangements as mentioned.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe Immigration Rules make no distinction between persons of different nationalities who wish to settle in the United Kingdom, apart from the special provisions in the Rules for Commonwealth citizens who have a grandparent born in the United Kingdom and Islands and who wish to take or seek employment in the United Kingdom, and for United Kingdom passport holders who have a special voucher for settlement. The numbers of persons allowed to settle in the United Kingdom during 1976 are shown by nationality in the Control of Immigration Statistics (Cmnd. 6883), Tables 2(a) and (b) and 3(a) and (b).
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that the Libyan Embassy has brought 2,229 patients to London for medical treatment in the current year, and the Kuwaiti Embassy brought in 1,200 patients, whether nationals of all countries have the same rights of entry without let or hindrance for the same purpose.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe Immigration Rules provide that visitors may be admitted for private medical treatment at their own expense. There is no discrimination on grounds of nationality. Each person must have the necessary 129W documentation and adequate funds and be able to satisfy the immigration officer about the purpose of his visit.