§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to ensure effective implementation of article 19(6) of the Council of Europe's European social charter, signed on 18 October 1961, requiring contracting parties to facilitate family reunion of foreign workers on their territory.
§ Mr. Charles WardleArticle 19(6) of the social charter provides that contracting parties undertake to facilitate as far as possible the reunion of the family of a foreign worker permitted to establish himself in the territory. We believe that the provisions of the immigration rules and our ability to exercise discretion in exceptional cases keep us in compliance with article 19(6).
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to give effect to convention No. 143 of the International Labour Organisation, facilitating the reunification of families of migrant workers legally residing in its territory.
§ Mr. Charles Wardle[holding answer 9 November 1992]: The United Kingdom has not ratified International Labour Organisation convention No. 143.