TNAG-0321-FCO40-357-Effect-of-1971-UK-Immigration-Bill-on-entry-of-Chinese-from--1971 — Page 83

Britain are not now subjected to the test of availa of local labour althogh we have accepted that it should be applied under the permanent scheme. The paper now proposes that it be applied der the interim scheme, except of course to Gibraltar.

As the paper acknowledges, there are arguments for and against applying the test in the interim period.

IXAXTA EX XXXX I suggest there are no cogent arguments that we can employ in an attempt to obtain KetentioKXXX exemption from the local labour rule

during the interim period. I think we should

let Mr. Scott see these papers and if he agrees, we can tell Home Office and D. of E.

6. Ministers decided that there should be an interim

reduction in Commonwealth immigration in order

to cater for the increase in the admission rate

of UKPH from E ast Africa planned to begin this year. As Mrs. Griffiths now points out, they may still want the interim measures to be introduced although we are not yet in a position to s

say

anything form about the negotiations with Kenya

and Uganda. It is likely that the problem will have to be put to Ministers in the light of the

assessment; now awaited from Sir E.' Norris.

I suggest we discuss this aspest at our forthcoming meeting with Mr. Shuffrey.

Q.G. Restor

T. G. Streeton

24 February 1971

Lince

writing the above, fara

seen on copy of Mr. Bolan's minute attached / of 18 February to Mr. Fitygarald setting

out some

of the problems cannested sief Ministerial announcements. It looks

we can expect

as if we

a letter to

Mr. Grofam on which we shall have to

advise.

24/2