Mr FitzGerald
I
copies to: Mr Covington
(D Emp) Mr Downing
(FCO)
Mr Emerson
Mr Shuffrey
Miss Ilunt
without
enclosure
IMMIGRATION BILL: ENTRY FOR EMPLOYMENT
ANNOUNCEMENT OF GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS
I had a useful discussion this morning with Mr Covington (Department of Employment) during which we considered, among other things, what Ministers might say on Second Reading about the rate of entry for employment both after the Bill was in force and during the interval before it took effect.
There are four separate but closely connected matters on which an announcement will presumably have at some stage to be made.
2.
a.
An increase in the quota of special vouchers for UKPH. It now looks as if all that can be said is that discussions with other governments concerned have not
as soon as possible. (This is the line suggested in Mr Angel's letter of 11 February to the Private Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.)
Do
A corresponding reduction in the number of employment vouchers to be issued under the current scheme, with a consequent change in the criteria for issue.
C. A reduction in the rate of alien entry for employment. The Secretary of State for Employment is pressing his Department to produce proposals which will have a significant and immediate effect. I understand that Mr Emerson attended a meeting on the subject yesterday.
The criteria for the issue of work permits for aliens and for Commonwealth citizens when the Bill is in force, and the likely rate of entry.
How far b, c or d can be dealt with separately from a is examined in the following paragraphs.
3.
To announce b (immediate reduction in employment vouchers) in advance of a (more special vouchers for UKPH) would clear the way for a full statement of the Government's intentions about work permits for Commonwealth citizens under the Bill. But it would forfeit the political advantage of making it apparent that the reduction in employment vouchers compensated for the increase in special vouchers; and I have assumed that for this reason it is out of the question.
4.
As to c (reduced entry of aliens for employment) I gather that Mr Carr sees political advantage in this mainly in relation to the current rate of unemployment. From the Home Office point of view, if any reduction on which Ministers agreed were announced on Second Reading, it would have the advantage of showing that the
CONFIDENTIAL