This is a good thing insofar as Barbados has probably been more vigourous than its partners in upholding the principle of regionalism. Even so, as the Attorney General explains, this country will continue to play its part under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, though not as a "suitor" pressing others into partnership. They must demonstrate a willingness to be thus joined.

During parliamentary debate last Tuesday on the Immigration (Amendment and Validation) Bill, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade also offered a perspective that deserves full consideration.

He expressed the view that while Barbados needed to adjust its immigration policies, this should not be done without recognising the importance of adopting an inter-ministerial and inter-departmental approach.

Indeed, whereas there may be urgent need to recruit non-Barbadian labour for a particular sector, as has happened in recent times, there could be consequential pressures on social and health services. This point is often argued to bolster objection to seemingly large numbers of CARICOM nationals being on worksites or awaiting attention at health clinics.

An inter-ministerial approach would better conduce to the application of a policy of managed migration, an approach now being energetically pursued between the United States and Mexico, among member states of the European Union (EU), and between the EU and African countries.

It is necessary to examine the issue carefully, weighing the possible implications for the people of Barbados as well as the reasonable expectations of fellow West Indians. We must always ensure that actions are founded on substantial legal rounds while insisting that there be a degree of reciprocity between Barbados and its regional partners.

Barbados is, in fact, a very attractive place despite all the complaints one hears. It is only natural that persons would want to gravitate here. The labour situation in Barbados, particularly during a fairly lengthy recent economic boom, has had its pros and cons. A steady rise in employment has reached its highest level ever.

There is no doubt that the healthy business environment that we have witnesses would have suffered greatly, were it not for an influx of labour from other countries. Employers generally welcomed the newcomers with open arms, evidently because they needed an adequate pool from which to recruit, as well as taking into account the imported workers' willingness to settle for moderate wages. This was always with the authorities' tacit understanding that with an extraordinarily high level of employment in the island, areas such as agriculture and construction in particular needed imported labour.

Perhaps most notable among other countries to experience this problem is the United Kingdom. Thousands of West Indians, Irish, and Africans migrated there especially after the end of World War II, in search of job opportunities and higher education. Many Caribbean people also made their livelihood in North America.

Additionally, a tradition of intra-regional migration preceded the creation of the Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA) which eventually evolved into the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM).

Barbados has a well-earned reputation for taking advantage of informal circumstances in which our nationals fulfilled numerous posts throughout the region, often holding leadership positions alongside West Indian colleagues.

In spite of the usual rhetoric about displacement of local labour, there have been no long lines of jobless Barbadians seeking work.

The MPs are right. Management and reciprocity must he the watchwords if immigration is to work for everyone's benefit.