16. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration reported that, under the provi­sions which had been in effect for a number of years and which were now con­tained in Order in Council P.C. 2743 of June 2nd, 1949, negroes from the British West Indies were not admissible to Canada. This result was brought about indi­rectly under the provisions of the Order in Council. By special arrangements a few were allowed to remain in Canada, from time to time, after arrival here for school attendance or other purposes. Admissions had never exceeded 125 - 150 in any year. 97 had been admitted so far in 1951. Negroes from the United States were admissible as U.S. citizens. There had been representations by organizations in Canada about the discrimination against negroes from the West Indies and consid­eration was being given to the desirability of making some new provision. One approach might be to make the same categories of relatives of Canadian citizens admissible as were now admissible in the case of Asiatics. In addition, there could be a quota for married children of Canadian citizens - possibly about 50 per year - and a further quota of about the same size for non-relatives. By this means movement might be kept down to less than 200 per year. If restrictions were removed there would be a much greater influx. There were indications that resent­ment over the present position was increasing in the West Indies.

17. The Secretary of State for External Affairs suggested that the situation would not be improved if it became known that there was a "black" quota. On the other hand, it would not be possible to operate such a system with any advantage over the present position if the existence of a quota were to be kept confidential. If a quota were to be established it would seem preferable to have it cover all immigrants from the West Indies and not simply negroes.

18. The Minister of Trade and Commerce suggested that the best course would be to continue the present policy as long as possible and to take care of individual cases that deserved consideration by means of special arrangements.

19. The Cabinet, after discussion, noted the report of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and agreed that, for the time being, no modification be made in the provisions relating to immigration from the British West Indies to Canada.