HC Deb 11 November 1982 vol 31 c219W
Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has not ascertained which European and Commonwealth countries confer a legal right, as against a discretion, on persons of either sex to enter and settle in the country to join their spouses, in view of the relevance of this to the changes he has proposed in British law on this point.

Mr. Raison

We have obtained some information from 17 countries. It would be too costly and time-consuming to make inquiries of all European and Commonwealth countries. The changes proposed in the immigration rules, which are subject to parliamentary approval, are based on United Kingdom law and circumstances.