HC Deb 15 July 1946 vol 425 cc870-2
85. Mr. Nicholson

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will publish a statement showing the number of civilian sea passages from India to this country during May and June, and the estimated number for July; and whether he will explain the system of priorities that applies.

Mr. A. Henderson

As the reply is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Nicholson

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman add something to show how the figures already obtained for passages in the near future compare with the accumulation of applications for passages?

Mr. Henderson

I think it will assist the hon. Gentleman if I state that during May the number of civilian passages was 3,245; June, 3,910; and July, about 2,000.

Mr. Nicholson

What I meant was, could the hon. and learned Gentleman say how many applications there are pending, and how many people waiting?

Mr. Henderson

I think that what is technically called the back log has been substantially reduced as a result of these passages, but I cannot give the exact number.

Following is the statement:

The number of civilian passages provided from India to this country during May was 3,245, and in June 3,910, while the estimated lift for July is about 2,000. There are eight categories of priority, and applicants are allocated to a category according to the reasons for making the journey given on the application form. A list of the categories, which is printed on the form, is set out below.

SCHEDULE OF PASSAGE PRIORITIES

Priority I

Government servants on duty and non-officials travelling on Government business or certified by Government to be travelling for a purpose essential to the national effort.

Applications under this category must be supported by a certificate from the Government Department concerned, stating the latest months by which the applicant must leave India if the purpose of the journey is to be achieved. Families cannot travel under this priority unless the head thereof is to be out of India for at least 8 months.

Priority II

Persons on whose behalf it is certified by a Provincial Medical Board that early passage is essential to save life or reason.

Priority III

Persons certified by Government to be travelling in the national interest or for furtherance of the national effort, or persons travelling to join certified appointments in the United Kingdom.

Applications under this category will state the month in which the applicant must leave India if the purpose of the journey is to be achieved, Families cannot travel under this priority unless the head thereof is to be out of India for at least 8 months.

Priority IV

Persons on whose behalf it is certified by a Provincial Medical Board that early passage is essential to save permanent impairment of health.

Priority V

  1. (a) Higher compassionate cases.
  2. Government servants and their families recruited from the United Kingdom on contract guaranteeing repatriation whose contracts have expired or been terminated and who do not qualify for Priority I or II.
  3. (b) Key officials and non-officials and their families. Unaccompanied families may travel on this priority up to six months in advance or arrear.
  4. (c) Children between ages 12 and 16, with their guardians, going to the United Kingdom for education.
  5. (d) Children between ages 9 and 11, with their guardians, going to the United Kingdom for education.
  6. (e) Retiring civilians (official or non-official) and their families, who are recommended by Provincial Governments/National Service Advisory Committees for this priority. Unaccompanied families may travel on this priority up to six months in advance or arrear.
    7. 872
  7. (f) Persons travelling on urgent business whose application is supported by a Government department. Families cannot travel under this priority unless the head thereof is to be absent from India at least eight months.

Families, the head of which has been transferred to the Far East.

Priority VI

  1. (a) Adults going to the United Kingdom for higher education. Applications must be supported by proof of admission to a University, Technical Institution, etc., and of residential accommodation.
  2. (b) Children between ages 6 and 8, with their guardians. going to the United Kingdom for education.
  3. (c) Compassionate cases who do not qualify for V(a).

Priority VII

Retiring civilians (official and non-official) and their families who do not qualify for Priority V(e).

Priority VIII

Those applicants who do not qualify for a higher priority.