‘No Premiers’ Talks On Migration Curbs’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 9

‘No Premiers’ Talks On Migration Curbs’

fw -X-P-A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONpON, November 14. The Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) today rejected Labour proposals for a Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference to discuss the British Government’s proposals to control Commonwealth migration to Britain.

The Prime Minister told 3>e House of Commons it •eetned better to approach other Commonwealth governments through the normal diplomatic channels. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Gaitskell) said the withdrawal of the right of tree entry to Cwnnoowealth citizens to Britain was "really a very vital chance of the whole situation in the Commonwealth."

It would have been advisable to have had this matter fully discussed at a Prime Ministers’ conference before any decision was taken. Mr Macmillan said: “Of course. But I do not think It is really practicable, in view of the large number of Questions that come up, to say we can only deal with it at a Prime Ministers’ conference. "We have the closest consultation all the time on a large number of matters, including this.” It would merely hamper co-operation if they could not deal with questions, except very big ones, without calling and finding the right date for a full Prime Ministers’ conference, he said. ' The Conservative campaigner for limited colour immigration. Sir Cyril Osborne, said the Prime Ministers of Australia, New Zealand and Canada would find it very embarrassing to be called to give advice on this subject. They had far greater restrictions than the British Government was proposing to impose. Mr Gaitskell said some members regarded the right of free entry to the Mother Country as something of very special importance to the Commonwealth. It was not to be dismissed because certain other Commonwealth countries did not apply the same princiole in every case. Mr Gaitskell said: “It is extremely desirable that the matter should not only be discussed, but as far as possible agreed, between leading citizens of the Commonwealth, notably Prime Ministers, before a step of this kind was taken.”