HC Deb 22 February 1983 vol 37 cc389-90W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the entitlement to be admitted to the United Kingdom as a business man was fixed on an investment of £150,000; why business men of lesser means are excluded; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Waddington

The minimum level of investment normally necessary for an applicant to come here as a business man was set at £150,000 on 1 January of this year when new immigration rules (HC 66) came into force.

This minimum financial investment is one of the requirements of the immigration rules relating to business men by which we seek to ensure that a business man is admitted only where a proposed enterprise will bring clear and substantial benefit to the United Kingdom.