term residents and it has scheduled a series of public meetings to stimulate discussion.

In a prepared statement, Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said yesterday that the public should pick up a copy of the Green Paper and read it before the meetings begin.

The first public meeting takes place on September 10 at Cathedral Hall in Hamilton.

And a second meeting will be on September 24 at St. James Church Hall in Somerset and the third commences at the Town Hall, St. George on October 1.

Each meeting will begin at 8 p.m.

"I would like to see considerable discussion and feedback on the question of long term residents,' Mr. Edness continued. "We need to hear from the long term residents themselves and from the general public so that the views of all sectors of the community can be represented in any policy decisions that are made.

"I urge everyone to read the Green Paper to find out the facts and the issues that have been identified and I would encourage as many people as possible to attend the public meetings.'' Written submissions can also be sent directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs, care of Permanent Secretary John Drinkwater.

The Green Paper was presented to the House of Assembly in June and will be debated by MPs after Parliament convenes in November.

Copies of the Green Paper can be picked up from the Department of Immigration in the Government Administration Building on Parliament Street or at Government Information Services, Global House, Church Street, Hamilton.

IMMIGRATION IMM GOVERNMENT GVT