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CONFIDENTIAL
Size of a quota
8.
Applications in respect of the dependent territories (less Mauritius) average about 1,200 a year although a proportion of these will in the normal course of events be refused or withdrawn. Applications in hand at 29 August 1967 totalled 730, of which 539 were in respect of
Hongong.
Vouchers issued are about 350 a year, of which 150 go to Hong Kong. Any quota must therefore take into consideration the fact that meeting the demands of Hong Kong could easily result in other territories receiving no benefit. I therefore suggest that a quota of 700 vouchers should be allocated to the dependent territories, but that
(This figure not more than 300 a year should be issued to Hong Kong.
is the same as the present maximum for Category A vouchers issued to any one country.) A quota of 700 would roughly double the numbers of vouchers at present being granted in respect of Hong Kong and the other dependent territories.
Administrative arrangements
9. I suggest that applications in respect of the dependent territories should form their own queue. They would be dealt with, as a general rule, on a first-come first-served basis but I suggest there should be no specific commitment to this procedure, so that some discretion could be exercised from time to time on individual cases or in relation to specific territories. Vouchers would be issued, as at present, regularly through- out the year and towards the end of the year consideration should be given to re-allocating to the independent countries any unused balance of
vouchers.
10. The quota would cover both Category A and B vouchers, although the former would certainly make up the bulk of the quota.
Restrictions
11.
A
The Minister of Labour is proposing that Category employment vouchers, at present available for any employment, should be restricted to certain categories only. I should not wish the restriction to apply to this quota, as many of the people I wish to help can find employment only in the sector which may fall under restriction. I recognise that it may seem anomalous to prevent the entry of Indian restaurant staff while encouraging the entry of Chinese restaurant staff, but it would be equally anomalous to give the people of the dependent territories more vouchers while refusing to let them take the jobs for which they are best prepared. I do not believe that the different rules applying to a separate quota will attract much adverse attention, and that our need to help these territories justifies this special treatment.
Publicity
12. I suggest that it would be essential for a public announcement to be made about a quota, both because it would be a change in the policy
CONFIDENTIAL
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