Remedial Work

Today, on BBC Radio 4's "Today" programme, it was revealed that in 2002 the Government introduced specialist work visas that enable workers and their families permanent residence in the UK after 4 years. So much for Tony Blair's mantra - "Education, education, education" - on becoming Prime Minister. In other words, there should be no need for specialist work visas. It turns out that some of the specialists are cab drivers.

The reason this became newsworthy is because the Home Office had realised that the system was being abused and wanted to change it, and some Members of Parliament regarded that as a violation of their human rights. Which "rights" was not stated. None of the Articles in the European Convention on Human Rights makes any mention of immigration control.

It is obvious to everyone that these people and their families are eligible to attend the Environment Agency's training schemes which "white English" cannot. Two reasons were given on yesterday's "Today" programme for this discrimination. One is that the law allows it. The other is to remedy injustices in the past.

If the Government wants to remedy past injustices, then the biggest injustice is that in 1979 the Conservative Government did not honour its election pledge to end the concession whereby foreign men can live and work in the UK through marriage.

Remedy that, Jacqui Smith (Britain's new Home Secretary), if you please.