CONFIDC ITAL
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Mr Pettit, South Pacific Department
Mr Yarnold, North America Depan
Mr Barlow, Rhodesia Department
Mr Duggan, South America DepartmentDESK UF
Mr McLaren, Hong Kong & General Department
Mr Gordon, South European Department
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Mr Paterson, Commonwealth Co-ordination Department
17
Quina
CHANGES IN THE IMMIGRATION RULES AS THEY MAY AFFECT OLD COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES
1. One of the possibilities that Home Office Ministers are considering in tightening up the Immigration Rules is the abolition of the rule which allows virtually free entry into the UK of a Commonwealth citizen one of whose grandparents was born in the UK. Also proposed are some minor changes affecting the Working Holidaymaker rule. The Home Office have asked us to seek the views of the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The attached letter and the Home Office submission on these subjects which are attached to it explain the position fully.
2. Also attached are the copies of the telegrams from the three posts which gave their own views on the likely consequences of cancellation when the possibility arose last year.
3. Subject to your views I propose to send the attached telegram to the three posts. Because of the urgency I shall be grateful if you can let me have comments by close of play tomorrow, Tuesday, 7 August.
4. Because the possibility could have consequences in Rhodesia and to a lesser extent in Hong Kong, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands, I am sending copies of these minutes to those Departments too.
6 August 1979
N_Webb Pw
W Jones
Migration and Visa Departme nt
It is not immediatel, apparent to me why this "possibility could have consequences" in Hong Kong: as far as I can make out, Hong Kong belongers are not covered by the working holiday maker provisions, and only 4 people from Hong Kong have been accepted for settlement under the one grand povert provision - the last 4 years. Can you try and find out what to Jones is getting at?
213 6043.
CONFIDENTIAL
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PTO.