DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
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persuade them to agree to a unanimous waiving of visa
requirements for Bermudians wishing to enter Community
countries. Sir David Hannay's reply pointed out that
immigration policy was a matter for individual member
states and not for Community decision; hence Bermuda
should continue to deal directly with the Ministries of
individual member states. On his advice, Sir J Sharpe
contacted Mr Morris, the Under-Secretary responsible for
immigration at the Home Office asking his guidance on how
he should proceed. The Home Office have referred his
letter back to WIAD.
Argument
6.
The Restrictive entry requirements of EC states is
a consequence of the introduction of the 1981 Act.
British Dependent Territories Citizenship carries with it
no right of abode in the UK. The Premier of Bermuda
complained last month of receiving second-class treatment
when, on entering the UK he was obliged to stand in the
"others" queue at Heathrow, while his white Finance
Minister who does have the right of abode could go freely
through the EC channel. Resentment in the DTs for which
WIAD is responsible has been exacerbated by granting the
right of abode in the UK to BDTCs from Gibraltar and the
Falklands. In both cases, we justified this by pointing
to unique circumstances of regional politics, but
the impression given is that certain DTs have been
accorded a privileged status because the majority of
their inhabitants are white-skinned.