by Mark MacDonald
AN INDIAN couple from a Hairtpshire village who risk being deported from Britain, are still awaiting the outcome of the appeals tribunal which heard their case on January 17.
Rodney and Gail Pereira have lived in the village with their daughter Keira for the last five years. The Parish Priest, Father Declan Lang said that the couple could do nothing but wait. "In fact," he said, "the whole village is waiting for the outcome."
The question mark against Mr Pereira's right to live in Britain has arisen from the fact that he is a former Merchant Navy Officer and his original right to reside in this country was temporary and conditional upon his employment at sea, according to the Home Office.
Nevertheless the young couple are quite cheerful and optimistic. "Of course we are very hopeful, we have to be, the
result could arrive any day," said Mr Pereira. "I am continuing my job as best I can and we are very grateful for the amount of support we have had from the villagers and Fr Lang."
After being made redundant in 1982 Mr Pereira got a job as a double-glazing salesman and is now a successful area sales manager for the firm.
The Pereira's seem to be a typical and hard working British couple, paying tax and in fact owning their own home. Mrs Pereira works with the local kindergarten group and daughter Keira, who was born in Britain holds a British passport.
Rodney is not the only member of his family in this country, his brother also lives here as well as some uncles and aunts. He fears that even if he does return to India with his family, he may encounter prejudice as a Catholic in a predominantly Hindu and Moslem country.