§ 8. Mr. Goodhartasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ask the Belgian Government to contribute to the cost of maintaining and resettling refugees from the Belgian Congo in Uganda.
§ Mr. R. AllanThere are no refugees from the Belgian Congo in Uganda. I assume my hon. Friend is referring to refugees from Ruanda-Urundi. Many of these have now returned. The Uganda Government are in touch with the Belgian authorities about expenditure incurred, which so far amounts to £800.
§ Mr. GoodhartIs my hon. Friend aware that many thousands of Africans may be killed in political unrest in the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi this year? Is he also aware that many potential refugees have been turned back at the frontier and that a substantial flood of refugees may be expected later in the year? Is he aware that the Belgian Government bear moral responsibility for the fate of these refugees?
§ Mr. AllanI certainly hope that my hon. Friend's fear does not materialise. We see no reason to think that it will. An assurance has been given that a permit to stay will be given to any refugee who goes to Uganda if he can establish that, if he returned, he would be in danger of victimisation or would be tried for an offence of a political character.