Prime Minister, while I have nothing but praise for this Government's reception of those genuinely seeking refuge from oppression, at the same time it disheartens me to know what opportunities we have missed.
Over thirty thousand Jews went to California following the Iranian Revolution, most of whom, given the opportunity, would have made the UK their home. Over ten thousand doctors went to Canada and the US along with many thousands of engineers. There is hardly a university in the States that does not have Iranian academics on their staff. On the whole, the quality and calibre of recent Iranian emigrants and refugees have close similarities with those from Germany in the 1930s.
At present we have the Hong Kong situation and the question of granting a a right of abode to selected holders of British passports. While I fully accept that priority
that priority must be given to those in the present Hong Kong administration whose continued presence in the colony after 1997 might put them
put them at risk, I fear that a further opportunity might be missed to our future commercial detriment and to the advantage of competitor states if we do not introduce some element of cntrepreneurial "talent spotting" in the selection of those who might come here.
But my proposal does not need to be limited to the mass movement of people. It surely is not beyond possibility that Commercial Attaches in selected overseas posts could be briefed to spot talent with a view to likely candidates seeking establishment in the United Kingdom. In my view, the numbers would be comparatively small; indeed,
could set a national annual quota of, say, one hundred
cases and not risk adverse political reaction.
What is really needed is the will to appreciate what we are in danger of losing
losing by inaction, and to suggest a more productive and aggressive approach to ensure that we gain from outside what our educational and cultural traditions seem unable to produce, namely people with entrepreneurial skills. A too rigid application of our immigration policy in this area can only be to the advantage of our international competitors.
On a personal level, I hope that you can appreciate the depth of feeling on
on this topic which can not be unique to me and that, in doing so, you might feel persuaded to energise the Departments concerned to look
look at my proposals more positively. I would be most happy to co-operate in any scheme you saw fit to endorse. What, in my view, is really called for is positive action and, so far, I have failed to see any evidence of practical support for my proposals: I look to you to help get things moving. I would, of course, be happy to discuss the matter with yourself or anyone you might nominate. We might touch upon it, if time allows, when I am at Downing Street on 26th February.
Sir David Alliance
DA/sm