Commonwealth Immigrants Act
History: AQA A Level The British Empire, topic 4.5.2
Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962
The Commonwealth Immigrants Act was an attempt to control the scale of immigration into the UK.
Measures to control immigration in 1962
- The Commonwealth Immigrants Act tried to curb immigration into the UK.
- Immigration for 'former colonial subjects' stopped, even if they were holders of British passports.
Classifying immigrants
- Immigrants were divided into three groups:
- Those with employment in the UK already arranged.
- Those with ‘in-demand’ skills or qualifications.
- Others (who were put on a waiting list).
Impact of the act
- The act had the effect of discriminating against black and Asian workers. A higher proportion of white immigrants already had the skills listed on the 'in-demand' list.
Reaction to the act
- The act was unfair but received support from 70% of the British public.
- Mainstream British society at that time could be considered racist, despite no segregation laws being in place as they were in the USA at the time.
Test yourself on Commonwealth Immigrants Act
Which of these was NOT a category under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act?
How did the Commonwealth Immigrants Act classify immigrants?