French immigration to UK

[mbahundra]

I'm interested in finding details of legislation governing the immigration of French nationals to the UK prior to the UK entry into the EEC in 1973 and, then, the changes (and when they came into effect) that occurred thereafter.

I'm also interested in French policies towards these French nationals: I have heard, for example, that the French consulate in London would not renew French passports for French citizens who had not done their national service, thus forcing them to choose between remaining in the UK without a valid passport (and thus illegally, presumably?) and moving to France (and joining the army).

I'm doing some research on French citizens from the French colonies who came to the UK during the 1960s and 1970s. Any info (or anecdotes, perhaps from French citizens who were there?) welcome.

Thanks!

(Edited PS: I've posted this here largely because I'm more interested in the French angle than the British one, but if whoever's in charge thinks it should be in the UK forum I'd be happy to move it/have it moved.)