HC Deb 08 March 1978 vol 945 cc651-2W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether as a general rule where he has to consider admitting a person to stay in Great Britain or allowing a person to remain when overstaying or as an illegal immigrant, he will not permit such a person to remain where that person's job or normal employment is within a group or classification where there is a high degree of unemployment in Great Britain.

Dr. Summerskill

Work permits are not issued to people coming here to work unless suitable resident labour is not available and the employer has made adequate efforts to find such labour. Under other provisions of the Immigration Rules people may be entitled to settle here without restrictions on the taking of employment.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the light of the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for Newham, North-West, to which he replied on 16th February 1978, regarding the matter of brides for sale, he will give detailed figures of the number of Arabs, Indians, Pakistanis and others who have been admitted and are engaged in this practice; why Mohammed el Asar was admitted into Great Britain; under what rights; and if he will deport this gentleman and others in the same situation.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I cannot say how many people may be knowingly engaged in arranging marriages of convenience; nor can I at this stage make a statement about the case of Mr. Asar. As my hon. Friend will be aware, the Department does not ordinarily disclose to third parties information about individual persons who are subject to immigration control, but I have power to deport any foreign national if I consider it conductive to the public good to do so.

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