Immigration control is an expression of national interest. The objective is to ensure that, of all those people who wish to come from abroad to work and settle here, we should accept only those whom it is in the national interest to accept. The process of selection must be operated in a way which does not delay or inconvenience the great generality of travellers.

In more detail, the current objectives of the UK immigration control are: —

1. (a) to prevent the entry of people who are personally unacceptable, for example, because of criminal record;

2. (b) to protect and supplement the resident labour force;

3. (c) to prevent immigration of a type, and on a scale, which might give rise to serious social problems.