본 논문은 1960년대를 중심으로 ‘블랙’ 이주민들이 영국의 복지제도가 제공하는 혜택을 누리며 영국 땅에 ‘기생’하고 있다는 주장에 대한 사실 여부와 그러한 주장이 내포하고 있는 의미, 그리고 기생설이 이주 정착민들의 삶에 미친 영향에 대해 살펴보았다. 블랙 이주민들에게 영국이나 영국의 복지제도가 일종의 ‘꿀단지’ 였다는 주장이 더 이상 단순히 세간을 떠돌던 의미 없는 이야기가 아니라 일부 정치가들에 의해 실체화되고 정치화 되어가던 과정을 배경으로, 영국인들이 유독 복지제도에 민감했던 이유를 설명하기 위해 ‘시민권과 소속’에 대한 인식과 복지 혜택 간의 관계에 대해 알아보았다. 1960년대에 대한 사례연구가 없는 가운데, 정부의 조사결과와 블랙 이주민들의 상황과 위치 그리고 1970년대와 1980년대 초반의 사례연구를 바탕으로 1960년대 블랙 이주민들과 복지수혜와 관련된 현실을 그려내고자 하였다. 결국 1960년대 꿀단지 논의는 일부 정치가들이 이주를 제한하기 위해 이용했던 하나의 수단이었다. 영국 정부는 법제화를 통해 블랙 이주정착민들과의 사회통합을 위한 발판을 마련하였지만, 현실적으로 그들을 받아들일 수 있는 인적, 사회적, 제도적, 재정적인 준비가 되어 있지 않은 상황이었다. 이러한 가운데 블랙 이주민들은 시민으로서 당연히 행사해야할 권리를 주장하기 어려웠고, 자연스럽게 주류사회로부터 배제될 수밖에 없었다. 블랙이주민들의 입장에서 꿀단지는 영국의 복지 혜택이 아니라 그 가운데서도 삶을 해쳐나갔던 자신들의 노력과 희생이었다.

This paper aims at examining the relations of immigration from the New Commonwealth countries with social security benefits in Britain. The analysis is undertaken by exploring the reality of, so called, ``honey pot`` in the 1960s. It is established that the honey pot story was proven to be unfounded, yet politicized by some politicians who strongly pushed for the restriction of immigration. Subsequently the British governments also went ahead with further restriction, but at the sam time attempted to integrate the migrant settlers by means of enacting various Racial Relations Acts. However, some sections of the British society never admitted ``Black`` immigrants as part of them, for the blacks were not perceived to ``belong`` to the land. In 1942 when Beveridge published his paper, he had a particular emphasis on the purpose of building the social security benefits system in Britain: establishing social safety nets and reducing inequality in the society bourne out by market economy. As a citizen, the immigrants were entitled to national insurance, health service, national assistance. However, due to racial as well as gender discrimination, lack of information, inability to handle the language, the fear of deportation etc, most of Black immigrants were reluctant to apply for social benefits, thus gave up their legitimate rights. These themes are explored through an analysis of the concepts of citizenship, belonging, and contribution. It is also examined to what extent Black immigrants could claim the benefits that they were entitled to, and to what degree racial discrimination occurred in the process of actual application. In particular, passport checking and the act of violating confidentiality of personal information and records of the applicants are also illustrated. My findings suggest that the British governments lacked human resources and finance to deal with social integration of Black immigrants. Moreover, citizenship required contribution, allegiance to the country, loyalty, sharing the experiences of hardships, and, above all, White identity. Black immigrants were outsiders, ``scroungers`` who would improperly use the welfare system that the British fought for several hundred years. Many British believed that ``honey pot`` meant either Britain or social security benefits of the country. In reality, a pot that had honey inside never existed, at least not in the 1960s. Black immigrants were making a living against all odds, believing that they could create brighter future for their children. The efforts that they were making and their readiness to accept hardships on their way led them to the road to the honey pot, nothing else.