asked the Minister for External Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the statement recently made by the British Colonial Secretary, Mr. MacLeod, to the effect that the British Government is considering the possibility of legislation to control the flow of immigrants from the Commonwealth countries into Britain; and what effect such legislation is likely to have on the movement of persons from this country to Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Immigration to Britain.
22.
I am aware that the British Colonial Secretary stated in the House of Commons on the 1st December, 1960, in reply to a question concerning the possibility of reducing immigration from the West Indies, that he believed that administrative methods would not really serve in this matter and that the choice must be in trying to hold the balance between administrative methods and legislation.
I am aware, also, that in reply to a Supplementary Question regarding immigration from Ireland, the Colonial Secretary stated that the study of the question being undertaken by the British Government has no relationship whatever to colour or to different countries within the Commonwealth, and that it is to cover all the problems of both immigration and migration from all countries in the Commonwealth on the same basis.
The Deputy will thus see that Mr. MacLeod did not explicitly state that the British Government definitely intends to legislate in this field. If such legislation were contemplated, with possible effects on the entry of Irish citizens to Britain, the Government would naturally give close attention to this aspect of the matter.
They would have to because it would be very serious for them.
Would the Taoiseach consider that the Irish Government should be consulted if such legislation is introduced affecting Irish citizens?
Yes.