HC Deb 02 May 1957 vol 569 cc341-3
5. Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for the rehousing of Anglo-Egyptian refugees in Brigend Hostel, at Stonehouse; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The Anglo-Egyptian Resettlement Board is authorised to help these British subjects to settle in permanent accommodation outside hostels, and deals with individual cases on merits. As part of its arrangements for payment of resettlement grants the Board can help in appropriate cases towards the deposit for the purchase of a house and has now been authorised to provide financial assistance to local authorities or housing associations which are able to find accommodation for these British subjects. The Board is also able to help with grants towards furnishing homes.

Mr. Kershaw

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that part of his Answer which dealt with financial assistance to local authorities will be very welcome? Is he further aware that, rightly or wrongly, the efforts of a very large number of devoted people in favour of these Anglo-Egyptian refugees do not seem to be making the progress that one would hope? Lastly, is my right hon. Friend aware that at the Brigend Hostel, at Stonehouse, arrangements that could be quickly and cheaply carried out to turn these huts into units of family accommodation have been refused? Will he look into the matter?

Mr. Butler

Efforts have been made to find accommodation outside the hostel. but I understand that 34 men and 11 women are in employment but still live in the hostel. I will certainly look into the points raised by my hon. Friend and any information he likes to give me. It is the desire of myself and those responsible to deal with this question of Egyptian refugees as expeditiously and humanely as possible.

Mr. Anthony Greenwood

How much has been spent in this way already? In view of what the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Kershaw) has said, can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that something more will be done to help these people who are, in a very special sense, victims of Government policy?

Mr. Butler

The broad question has been debated both here and in another place. There are many different aspects of the matter which I could not deal with by way of answers to supplementary questions. If the hon. Gentleman desires, I will answer any Question which he puts on the Order Paper.