§ 58. Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will explain the basis upon which he has imposed a requirement upon Sri Lankan citizens resident in the United Kingdom to obtain re-entry visas before travelling abroad for any period of time; an if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonIt is a normal consequence of existing visa requirements that they should apply to all nationals of the country concerned, including those resident here. In Sri Lanka's case an exception was made in respect of Sri Lankan citizens settled in the United Kingdom on 1 January 1973 who qualify for readmission as returning residents, since paragraph 77(a) of the immigration rules requires Commonwealth citizens to be admitted in these circumstances unless they are subject to a deportation order.