Tamils (Removal)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 3:30 pm on 18 February 1987.

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Photo of Mr David Waddington Mr David Waddington , Ribble Valley 3:30, 18 February 1987

I am sure that my hon. Friend is entirely right. As I said yesterday, at least until the middle of last summer, both parties in this House were supposed to be in favour of firm immigration control. There is not the slightest doubt that the overwhelming majority of the people of this country expect us to operate firm immigration control. We should be abdicating our responsibilities if, faced with abuse on this scale, we were just to say, "It is all too difficult; we must listen to the beseechings of hon. Members like those who have spoken this afternoon" and did nothing about it.