§ 5. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Anglo-Egyptian refugees are still without work or private means; and what plans the Government have for these people.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithAbout 2,000 refugees, of whom some 900 are in hostels, 564 are still being assisted by the Anglo-Egyptian Resettlement Board. The total without employment includes children, housewives and others who look after families at home, and persons too old or infirm to work. Some of these have limited private means. The number registered for work is about 250. Every effort is made to help those able to work to find employment. In addition grants or loans for various purposes are made to adults to assist them to resettle here: and it is hoped that homes will be established for aged people who would be unable to look after themselves.
§ Mr. WallI appreciate all my hon. Friend and her Department have done to help these unfortunate people, but can she say how many of the hard core of refugees are of Maltese nationality? Further, can she say whether she has real hopes of being able to resettle all these people, or, if not, whether she has any idea of establishing permanent hostels when the temporary ones are closed?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithI cannot tell my hon. Friend without notice exactly how many of the residue not resettled are Maltese. If he cares to put down a Question, I shall be delighted to give him an Answer. It is true to say that the Board is now getting down to the more difficult cases, and amongst those, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, are the Maltese who find our language difficult or who, in some cases, do not speak English at all or are in the process of learning it. The Board intends to publish a further report, when it has made more progress with resettlement and it has been established how many of the total number can be resettled in this country.