§ Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to introduce legislation to amend or repeal the Immigration Act 1971; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe Immigration Act 1971 provides the necessary framework for firm control over immigration. The Government believe that to repeal the Act would be irresponsible and damaging to community relations.
As my right hon. Friend announced on 23 January, at col. 274, the Government intend to introduce legislation in the lifetime of this Parliament to make overstaying a continuing offence committed on the day when the 656W overstayer first knows that his leave has expired and on any day thereafter on which he remains in the United Kingdom.
The Government also intend, as my right hon. and learned Friend the then Secretary of State told the House on 23 July 1985, at col. 894, to introduce legislation to put an end to the sexually discriminatory features of section 1(5) of' the Immigration Act in a way that preserves the Government's commitment to firm immigration control: but the Government have no plans to amend the Act in other respects.