Britain has decided to tighten the law to restrict immigration from countries in the 'New Commonwealth' like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria.
A decision in this regard was taken at a recent meeting presided over by Prime Minister Tony Blair and attended, among others, by Home Secretary David Blunkett, Immigration Minister Desmond Browne, Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
At the meeting, convened for an immigration "stocktaking", Blunkett warned of a "dramatic" rise in applications to come to Britain from the 'New Commonwealth'. 'Old Commonwealth' countries are Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
What was needed, Blunkett argued, was a quota system, backed up by tough new restrictions.
Blair, according to a report in The Sunday Telegraph, agreed and called for a clampdown to prevent "abuse from the New Commonwealth countries".
An announcement should be made within weeks, the PM ordered.
A Downing Street spokesman said the proposals for action would be made public "soon".
"We have found some abuse -- but it's not widespread. If it had been, we would simply clse the system down, which is not something we want to do," a government official close to Blunkett said.
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