Garry passed along this fascinating excerpt of the remarks of the Chief Executive of the Immigration Advisory Service. He speaks thoughtfully of the cultural enrichment brought by immigrants in the past and today, using a very familiar example - Indian food!
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Speaking as the Special Guest at the Launch Event of the British Fusion Food Festival 2006 [to be held at Dhaka Sheraton (Bangladesh) and Kolkata Sheraton (India) Aug 26-29 and Sept 1-4 this year] on Tuesday 11 July 2006, at 12.30pm at the REDFORT, 77 Dean Street, Soho, London W1D 3SH Keith Best, IAS Chief Executive, said:
“All nationalities and people from overseas who have come to the UK over the centuries and who have enriched our society have changed our culture, language, dress and way of life. Britishness is itself a complicated mix of these influences which are so interwoven that it would not be impossible to separate them without destroying Britain itself. The UK’s legacy of empire and now Commonwealth may have been created through violence but it has led to a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious society which, despite occasional tensions, is a global example of how the modern phenomena of migration and globalisation can be accommodated in peace. We should remember that in this respect we are the envy of the world.
“Those who went out with the East India Company and then created a global hegemony went as conquerors but in a more quiet but also more sustainable way the inhabitants of those subjugated countries permeated Britain: where would we be without tea or bungalows or the ability to console ourselves with a toddy? The British way is to adopt others’ cultures and languages as its own. Unfortunately, it is not all good: we would not have thugs described as such if it had not been for the murderous gangs in Kolkata, which is where one of the International British Fusion Food Festival fairs will be taking place next month!
“Of all the migrants the British Bengali contribution, however, has been among the most profound because it has affected our eating habits and has reached through all sectors of British society. Chicken Tikka Masala is a British Bengali creation – it had its origins in Britain not in the Indian subcontinent – yet, as the former late Foreign Secretary Robin Cook MP reminded us, it has become the British national dish. It is part of the continual exchange of ideas and cultures that this dish should now be exported back to Bengal as part of this wonderful festival.
“Such exchanges, however, demand reciprocity. There remains the inbalance in immigration despite so many Bengali entrepreneurs coming to the UK, making a great success of the food and catering industry and becoming major employers of British labour. There is still suspicion levelled by the British immigration authorities at those who wish to come to the UK for work or visit yet the great majority cause no problem with immigration control.
“The British so-called Indian restaurant industry not only makes a major contribution to the British way of life but also to the economy in the taxes it pays. It provides good-value, quality food to those who may not be able to afford to eat our regularly or go to expensive restaurants. Yet this does not happen by magic. It requires a properly functioning kitchen and a hard-working family enterprise behind each restaurant.
“Part of that is the ability of restaurant owners to recruit those who understand the culture of the kitchen. Of course, that employment should be open to all and it is – but I know of many restaurants who have tried to employ eastern Europeans as kitchen porters who have lasted for only a short time because they do not understand.
“The former Home Secretary Charles Clarke MP displayed massive insensitivity and misunderstanding in suggesting that all these posts could be filled by nationals of the new European Union states. Some will, but others will need to come from Bengal itself. This concept is true of any imported cuisine whether Bengali, Chinese or Turkish. That is why I shall continue to demand from the Government a special scheme to allow such workers to be recruited, accepting that there must be safeguards against potential abuse. I have put my proposals to the Home Office and am expecting a reply within the next three weeks. I have asked for a meeting with the new Minister Liam Byrne MP. I shall not rest until the Government gives proper recognition to the legitimate needs of this integral part of the British way of life.”
