TNAG-2367-FCO40-3440-British-Dependent-Territories-(British-Overseas-Territories)-1991 — Page 8

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3145

REGENED IN PRIVATE OFFICE

21 AUG

ACKD

From: George Foulkes, M.P.

19 August 1991

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SWIA OAA

Dear Lynda,

Thank you for your letter of the 9 August.

I appreciate the points you make, but your point about discriminating against other Dependent Territories

is surely invalid when you take account of the special position of the Falkland Islands. Also the Hong Kong situation is entirely different and has been acknowledged as such by the Government.

Can I ask you with renewed vigour to think again about this and re-open discussions with the Department of Employment to see if you can obtain an agreement to

review this at the very least, after a year or two.

Yours sincerely,

GEORGE FOULKES, M.P.

Mrs Lynda Chalker MP

Minister of State

Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1A 2AH

George Foulkes Esq MP House of Commons

LONDON

SW1A OAA

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

London SWIA 2AH

From The Minister of State

9 August 1991

Lave

to abolish

Dear Georges.

Thank your for your letter of 29 July to Douglas Hurd about the decision to phase out the Dependent Territories Work Permit Quota, and in particular the effects this will on St Helena. I am replying in his absence.

The decision the scheme was taken after full and prolonged consultation between the Departments involved : the FCO, the Home Office and the Department of Employment. The scheme as it stood was considered anomalous and inconsistent with Government immigration policy. Nor was it the intention that the scheme continue indefinitely.

We looked closely at the special needs of St Helena and at the question of retaining part of the quota for St Helena only. However, this would discriminate against other Dependent Territories. We saw no justification for doing so and therefore concluded that the whole scheme should be abolished.

We know however that this will be a disappointment to St Helena. То mitigate the effects we decided to phase out the scheme over a period of 4 years rather than abolish it immediately. We see this as giving St Helena time to adapt and time also for us to consider alternative schemes, should these prove to be necessary, for territories such as St Helena.

yours

eva

Lynda

LYNDA CHALKER

3031

29 July 1991

From: George Foulkes. MP

1. Alll 11/

2. WIRD for a draft reply from Mr. Lennox-Bond by

HOUSE OF COMMONS 7/8 pl.

LONDON SWIA 0AA

Ps

est M. Lennox-Boyd

5/m

Dear Secretary of State,

I am very concerned at the effect that the decision on quotas of work permits for workers from the Dependent Territories will have, particularly in relation to St Helena.

This should not be treated as an immigration issue Dependent Territories are a direct UK responsibility and should be treated specially.

I do hope that this might be reconsidered or, least, reviewed at an early opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

at the very

GEORGE FOULKES, M.P.

The Rt Hon Douglas Hurd MP Secretary of State

Foreign and Commonwealth Office King Charles Street, SW1A 2AH

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