HC Deb 20 December 1979 vol 976 cc283-5W
Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he regards as primary immigration the admission of a Commonwealth citizen one of whose grandparents was born in the United Kingdom who wishes to take or seek employment in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Raison

The relevant paragraph of the immigration rules provides that a Commonwealth citizen one of whose grandparents was born in the United Kingdom will be admitted to take or seek employment and those so admitted are given indefinite leave to enter. They would therefore normally be counted as "primary" immigrants. However, those accepted for settlement in this way do not necessarily settle here.

Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government will still be prepared to consider on the basis of the present immigration rules applications made before the date of publication of Cmnd. 7750 where the applicant subsequently leaves the United Kingdom and re-enters after a brief absence.

Mr. Raison

I am not prepared to give any specific undertaking to persons who leave the United Kingdom with an application still outstanding, but sympathetic consideration will be given to such cases in the light of all the relevant facts.

Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government will be prepared to consider on the basis of the present immigration rules not only the next applications but all future applications for future stay from people already given leave to remain for work, to set up in business or self-employment, or as persons of independent means, until they have had their conditions of stay removed.

Mr. Raison

Yes, provided that the application is for further stay in the same capacity as that for which leave to enter or remain has already been given.

Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the new immigration rules proposed in Cmnd. 7750 will be drafted in such a way that those applications which the Government will be prepared to consider on the basis of the present rules will also, if refused, be subject to a right of appeal under the present rules.

Mr. Raison

We are considering this suggestion.

Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, following the announcement in. Cmnd. 7750 that the Government intend to continue the special voucher scheme, the annual quota will remain 5,000; and whether that quota will be more fully utilised than in 1978 and the first half of 1979 so as to reduce the waiting period for United Kingdom passport holders in India.

Mr. Raison

The Government have no plans at present for altering the size of the global quota or its allocation between countries, although these matters remain under continuing review.

Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will be prepared to consider on the basis of the present immigration rules applications for further stay from the wives of people already given leave to remain for work, to set up in business or self-employment or as persons of independent means; and whether any extensions granted in those circumstances would continue to be without restriction on the wife's employment.

Mr. Raison

The answer to both parts of the question is "Yes".

Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether instructions have been given to immigration officers authorising them to record in the passports of passengers admitted to the United Kingdom undertakings as to the purpose or duration of stay which are not restrictions or conditions within the meaning of section 1(4) of the Immigration Act 1971.

Mr. Raison

No special instructions have been issued. Such undertakings are normally recorded by immigration officers on passengers' landing cards or in a separate report to the Home Office.