Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Act to make temporary provision for controlling the immigration into the United Kingdom of Commonwealth citizens; to authorise the deportation from the United Kingdom of certain Commonwealth citizens convicted of offences and recommended by the court for deportation; to amend the qualifications required of Commonwealth citizens applying for citizenship under the British Nationality Act, 1948; to make corresponding provisions in respect of British protected persons and citizens of the Republic of Ireland; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid. |
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| Citation | 10 & 11 Eliz. 2. c. 21 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 18 April 1962 |
| Commencement | 1 July 1962 |
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Status: Repealed
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The Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 was a law passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This Act made it much harder for people from Commonwealth countries to move to the United Kingdom. Only those with special work permits, usually for highly skilled jobs like doctors, were allowed to enter.
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What Was the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962?
This Act was a major change to how people from Commonwealth countries could enter the UK. Before this law, citizens of Commonwealth nations had wide-ranging rights to move to Britain. The Act introduced strict rules, making it harder for many to settle in the UK.
Why Was This Act Created?
Before 1962, people from Commonwealth countries could easily move to the UK. For example, many people from places like Hong Kong came to Britain for work. They found jobs in factories, on railways, and in hotels.
However, some groups in Britain felt there were too many people moving to the country. They wanted stricter rules. The Conservative Party government decided to create this new law. It allowed only a limited number of people with special work permits to settle in the UK.
Not everyone agreed with the new law. Hugh Gaitskell, who was the leader of the Labour Party at the time, called the Act "cruel and unfair." He felt it was wrong to treat people differently based on where they came from.
What Did the Act Say?
The Act stated that most people from Commonwealth countries, including those who were citizens of the UK and Colonies, would now face immigration checks. This meant they needed permission to enter the UK.
Who Was Affected?
Some people were still allowed to enter freely. This included:
- Commonwealth citizens born in the UK.
- Commonwealth citizens who had a UK passport issued in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
- People who were already living in the UK between 1960 and 1962.
- Wives and children under 16 years old who were joining a family member already living in the UK.
Important Dates
The Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 officially started on 1 July 1962.
What Did People Think?
Many people spoke out against the Act. Claudia Jones, an activist born in Trinidad, said in 1962 that the Act created a "second-class citizen" status for people from the West Indies and other Afro-Asian countries in Britain. She believed it could harm the idea of the Commonwealth.
Ambalavaner Sivanandan, another activist, argued that the Act made unfair treatment based on race a part of the law. Labour politician Barbara Castle also called it a "violation" of what the Commonwealth stood for.
What Happened After the Act?
The Act had a big impact on immigration. The number of people from Commonwealth countries entering the UK dropped significantly. For example, in 1961, about 136,400 people came, but in 1963, this number fell to about 57,046.
The Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 was later changed by the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1968. It was eventually replaced by a new law, the Immigration Act 1971.
