a
reverse effect. A number of people are slipping away, or
templating doing so, because they feel that unless they now
take what opportunity offers, either through the back or front
door, they may face the possibility of all doors being closed
to them, If they are assured that their rights of entry are
preserved and guaranteed, they will, in most cases, stay happily
here.
5.
What it would mean is the removal of what is seen as an
irksome restriction on loyal British subjects from the Falklands,
which is under claim, and whose residents feel they should have
the right to enter the mother country to take up employment or
residence if they so wish. The only alternative is to go cap
in band hoping for special consideration like some second-class
citizen. The subject is a highly emotional one and while some
residents accept the need for the UK to control the influx of
immigrants from other countries, most find any type of control
of Falkland Islanders completely unacceptable, distasteful and
unwarranted. The whole question of immigration control is
exacerbated by the sovereignty claim which increases the feeling
that Falkland Islanders bave no control over their destiny and
Some look to emigration. as an escape from this difficult situation.
6.
With consideration being given to British Nationality as
a result of the recent Green Paper, it would seem an appropriate
time to request that provision be made for Falkland Islanders
to be exempt from Immigration control; this would go a long way
to restoring confidence and faith, and give the Islanders a
feeling of being wanted. It is not an easy task for this
Administration to try and explain the need for UK immigration
controls, when it is known that Gibraltarians can enter the UK,
and nationals of other countries with no cultural ties are
entering the UK in their thousands every year.