U.K. Immigration Curb Moves Criticised

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30820, 4 August 1965, Page 14

U.K. Immigration Curb Moves Criticised

(N.ZP.A.-Reuter —Copt/riplit;

LONDON, AuguSt 3.

The British Government’s announcement yesterday’ of stronger controls on Commonwealth immigrants brought criticism from both inside and outside the House of Commons.

The measures, which will limit the intake of Commonwealth migrants to 8500 a year and place restrictions on their dependants, and on tourists and ensure that students are bona fide, were announced in the House this afternoon by Mr Herbert Bowden, Lord President of the Council. They take effect from today. Would-be immigrants from white Commonwealth coun-

tries are not expected to be greatly affected by the new proposals, as most of them fall into the highly-skilled categories such as doctors, nurses, teachers and science graduates which still have fairly liberal work voucher quotas. Unskilled Migrants j But the measures are expected to completely shut off the numbers of unskilled immigrants mainly from India, Pakistan and the West Indies. After Mr Bowden had outlined the Government’s measures today, Mr Jo Grimmond. : leader of the Liberal Party in the House, said the stateIment appeared to be “a large i |departure from the previous; policy of the Government." , He asked whether it was intended to cut white or only coloured immigrants and also asked whether it was intended to cut the alien’s intake. Mr Bowden replied that last year 55,900 Commonwealth immigrants settled in Britain, but fewer than 20,000 aliens settled.

A Labour member. Mrs Lena Jeger, then charged that the Government’s new measure would make it “easier for an Italian waiter coming to work in Soho, who mayhave fought against this country, than for a British Coin-monw-ealth citizen, who may have fought on our side.” Another Labour member. Dr. David Kerr, charged that the Government’s statement was “a matter of grave and bitter disappointment to a number of us on this side who fought in the recent election in constituencies containing a very high proportion of Commonwealth immigrants.

“We did so without finding it necessary to sacrifice the principle we have held to for so long,” he said. “Breaking Faith” Outside the House, the chairman of the Campaign against Racial Discrimination, Dr. David Pitt, said the White Paper indicated that the Government was breaking faith with the Commonwealth Prime Ministers. He said the Government had failed to see that immigration controls were non-discrimina-tory and said he also rejected the Government’s “paternalistic attitude.” “It’s no use talking about integration unless you do something about discrimination.

“Integration is meaningless without equal opportunities and this goes especially for employment.” Dr. Pitt said. Dr. Dhani Prem. leader of the Indian community in the west Midlands, and deputy chairman of the CommonI wealth Welfare Council, said lit was a “sensible idea" to control immigration. He thought this might now lead to a more conciliatory attitude to immigrants already in Britain. But he said he was disappointed the Government had not announced a comprehensive plan for integrating them. He had also hoped something might be said about limiting Irish immigrants. Thought Fair

“It has been a sore point all along that the controls are only for coloured people," Dr. Prem said. Mr Bowden told the House this afternoon that the Government believed the figure of 8500 immigrants a year would be fair both to the Commonwealth countries and to Britain. All Commonwealth countries and British colonies had been advised of the statement, he said. “The Government is determined to ensure that Commonwealth immigrants are'absorbed into our community without friction and with mutual understanding and tolerance,” he said. He said the Government, because of this, considered there was a need for closer co-ordination for the absorption of immigrants on a national basis. “There is a great deal of work to be done. It will be uphill work and it will probably take a long time," he said. The Government believed it would be fully supported in its decision by public opinion and could rely on the full cooperation of all the national organisations, local authorities and voluntary organisations and of the immigrants themselves.

Restaurant Burgled.—The sum of £l5 in silver was taken from Gerald’s New Beaver Bar Restaurant, New Regent street, -during the week-end. A window pane at the rear of the premises was smashed to allow entry.