§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Indian authorities with regard to the settlement of Tamils wishing to leave Sri Lanka.
§ Mr. WaddingtonNone. This is primarily a matter for the Governments of India and Sri Lanka. I understand that the Indian authorities have admitted some 100,000 Tamils from Sri Lanka.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Sri Lankan authorities with regard to the safe return of Tamils who have arrived in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WaddingtonMy right hon. and learned Friend has had no such discussions, but our high commission is in close touch with the Sri Lankan Government on this matter. On 31 May President Jaywardene gave our high commissioner at Colombo a formal personal assurance that no Tamils returned to Sri Lanka would be harassed or persecuted in any way.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Tamils who have arrived in the United Kingdom since 1 May have subsequently left the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. WaddingtonOf those Tamils who arrived in the United Kingdom after 21 April, and who on arrival sought political asylum or temporary refuge, and were refused entry, 16 had left the united Kingdom up to and including 4 June.