provide evidence that they are able to maintain incoming family members. A married couple seeking to bring in one of their parents, for example, would have to demonstrate that they earned at least three times the level of Danish social assistance.
(c) similarly an immigrant must have lived in Denmark for more than seven years in order to bring in a spouse.
(d) To discourage child marriages both partners must be over 18 years in order to qualify for residence.
(e) only immigrants holding residence permits would be allowed to marry in Denmark.
(f) four years of marriage before a dissolution (instead of the current two) to be the qualifying period for continuing residence.
While there is no explicit reference to Hong Kong in the draft Bill an accompanying paper with observations contains a special dispensation under which senior local employees of Danish companies in Hong Kong would be able to come here if the need arises; an English translation of the relevant paragraph on page 15 is enclosed.
3.
In tandem with these proposals to tighten up immigration controls the Interior Minister also put forward proposals on "social integration." Immigrants would be required to study the Danish language in order to be eligible for benefit. There would be increased opportunities for immigrant parents and children to learn Danish. But instruction in the mother tongue might have to suffer. There would also be a contractual requirement for immigrant children to attend school with the possibility that "bussing" techniques might be used to dispense concentrations in particular schools. Similarly on housing local authorities would be empowered to disperse immigrants to avoid the growth of ghetto areas.
Prospects
4. Engell may have backed down on the idea of a fixed annual quota for immigrants but he appears determined to tighten up procedures, making them speedier and more effective. The proposals, if implemented, should help defray the cost to the exchequer; it is estimated that on average there are 3,900 pending applications which cost the exchequer DKr 9,500 (around £800) a month. Reaction to the proposals has been mixed. While most accept the need to tighten up procedures and speed up the processing of applications there has been widespread criticism of the seven year qualifying period and the raising of the parents qualifying age from 60 to 65; similarly the proposal with regard to fingerprinting/ photographs has drawn opposition. Engell remains keen to change the laws before the summer recess. But time may not be on his side. The government and opposition have more pressing preoccupations. He may have to wait until the autumn before
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