§ 9. Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking in response to the appeal issued to all member Governments of the United Nations by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for further assistance in the resettlement of refugees from Hungary, with special reference to the 18,000 now in Yugoslavia.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ian Harvey)The appeal is under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement. As regards the admission of further refugees to this country, the position remains as stated in the Written reply given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 14th March.
§ Mr. YoungerIs it not the case that in recent weeks, and since the matter was considered earlier, there has been a new appeal by the United Nations High Commissioner? Is it not a fact that very few refugees have been able to leave Yugoslavia and that if they are not removed in considerable numbers before the summer season starts there will be very real danger of difficulties about their accommodation?
§ Mr. HarveyYes. We appreciate that, and we sympathise with the position of the refugees, but we must make it perfectly clear that this country is not normally a country of immigration. We have already made a considerable contribution to this problem. That is our position.
§ Mr. YoungerIf we are not able to take them into this country, could we not make a contribution to I.C.E.M. to help to move them?
§ Mr. HarveyAs I have said, the appeal is under consideration, and we will look at it.