It is the aim of this section to include summaries and comments on recent developments in law and policy in the social welfare area. This covers short notes on changes in the law or in administrative practice, as well as discussion and criticism of future plans or political strategies. In this issue we look at the government's proposed new nationality legislation, and at the operation ofthe Manpower Services Commission's Youth Opportunities Programme. In future issues we hope to discuss recent developments in health, education and social services policies; and we would welcome contributions of 2000 to 3000 words in these or other areas. Contributions to this section should be sent to Pete Alcock, Dept. E.B.S., Sheffield City Polytechnic, Pond Street, Sheffield, S1 1WB.
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References
1.
Statement of changes in immigration rules, 1980 HC394 (1979-80). These are widely regarded as being in breach of international obligations on non-discrimination: see First Report from the Home Affairs Committee, Proposed new immigration rules and the European Convention on Human Rights, 1980 HC434 (1979-80).
2.
For remarkable statements of this, see R. Butt, 'The rebirth of a nation', The Times 19/2/81 and P. Worsthorne, 'The Right way to cure our racial ills', Sunday Telegraph 26/4/81.
3.
S. Hall, 'Popular-democractic vs. authoritarian populism', in A. Hunt (ed.), Marxism and Democracy, London: Lawrence and Wishart1980 .
4.
D.E. Ashford, Policy and Politics in Britain, Oxford: Basil Blackwell1981, ch.7.
5.
British Nationality Law: a discussion of possible changes, 1977 Cmnd.6795; British Nationality Law: outline ofproposed legislation, 1980, Cmnd.7987 (White Paper).
6.
For details, see Second Report from the Home Affairs Committee, Numbers and legal status of future BOCs without other citizenship, 1981 HC158 (1980-81). Other residual categories of British Protected Persons and British Subjects also continue.
7.
7 See White Paper, op.cit. para. 103.
8.
8 Culminating in Zamir v. Secretary of State for the Home Department (1980) 2AER 768.
9.
A. Gibbes, letter in The Times 28/11/80.
10.
For details, see AGIN Campaign Bulletin No. 8, 1981, pp. 7-8.
11.
Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Eighth Report 1979/80, Selected Cases vol.3, 1980 HC693, Case no. C.525/79, para.31.
The Bill attempts to prevent review. In other areas of law, the courts have been prepared to challenge and evade such 'ouster clauses', eg Anisminic v. FCC (1969) 2AC 147: they are unlikely to do so here. See generally S. A. de Smith, Judicial Review of Administrative Action, 4th. edition, London: Stevens1980.
14.
Report ofthe UK Government's proposals for immigration controls, European Parliament Working Document 1-537/80; Runnymede Trust Bulletin, no. 131, 1981.
15.
Outer Circle Policy Unit, Nationality Law, London: OCPU1980, paras. 41-52.
16.
The Times 29/4/81.
17.
Ibid. 14/4/81.
18.
Ibid. 18/4/81.
19.
Ibid. 10/6/81.
20.
White Paper, op. cit. para. 26.
21.
'Third-class citizens', The Economist 28/8/81.
22.
The Times 9/10/80.
23.
A. Sivanandan , From immigration control to "induced repatriation " ', 20 Race and Class ( 1978), pp.75-82.
24.
24 Second Report, op.cit. para.5.
25.
25 For a remarkable statement of this, see Worsthome, op.cit.
26.
Brent Community Health Council, Black People and the Health Service, London: BCHC1981; Manchester Law Centre Immigration Handbook No.5, The Thin End of the White Wedge; N. Murray et.al., 'The state as we know it', Spare Rib June 1981 pp.22-25
27.
; A. Wilson, 'NHS may rule out blacks'New Statesman 29/5/81, pp. 13-14.
28.
First Report from the Select Committee on Race Relations and Immigration, 1978 HC303 (1977-78). For criticism, see Sivanandan, op.cit.; M.D.A. Freeman and S.Spencer, 'Immigration control, black workers and the economy', 6 British Journal of Law and Society, 1979, pp.53-81.
29.
See Migrants Action Group, Migrant Women under Threat, London: MAG1980; On the Road to Repatriation, London: MAG1981. Available from MAG, 68 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JR.
30.
For their manifesto, see H. Proctor and J.R. Pinniger, Immigration Repatriation and the CRE , London: Monday Club1981.
31.
Hall, op.cit. p.181
32.
Eg A.Dummett , Citizenship and Nationality, London: Runnymede Trust1976; AGIN, British Nationality Law, London: AGIN1980; Justice British Nationality Law , London: Justice1980; Outer Circle Policy Unit, op. cit. The Runnymede Trust's address is 62 Chandos Place, London WC2N 4HG. JCWI and AGIN are both at 44 Theobald's Road, London WC1X 8SP.
33.
Labour Party, Citizenship and Immigration, London: LP1980; National Executive Committee Statement, British Nationality Law, London: LP1981.
