E.R.
In
If the changes proposed to the present scheme are agreed we suggest that Ministers
should at the same time announce that the UK is prepared to consider opening up the
scheme to non-Commonwealth countries on the basis of worthwhile cultural exchange
amongst young citizens. Officials would then consult all Commonwealth countries
asking them whether they are now prepared to make reciprocal arrangements.
addition the USA and Japan and any other countries which show an interest could be
approached to discuss reciprocal arrangements. The aim would be to report back to the
Board in say a year's time prior to seeking a decision from Ministers on both extending
the scheme beyond the Commonwealth and the future participation of Commonwealth
countries who are unable to offer reciprocal arrangements.
Next steps
19.
If the Board agrees with this paper we will invite Ministers to agree in principle
that the working holidaymaker scheme should be amended by:
i)
introducing an entry clearance requirement;
ii)
introducing a no-switching requirement;
iii)
tightening the scheme as set out in paragraph 8 above;
iv)
limiting the scheme to unmarried people and childless couples both
of whom are entering as working holidaymakers.
attruir
The Home Secretary would clearly need to seek the agreement of his colleagues to
these changes; most noticeably the Foreign Secretary would have to be consulted on the entry clearance requirement. This could be done by means of a letter to EDH colleagues copied to the Foreign Secretary. That letter could also raise the long term
future of the scheme and propose that, at the same time that any changes were
announced, Ministers should announce they were prepared to consider extending the
scheme to non-Commonwealth countries on the basis of worthwhile cultural exchange
amongst young citizens.