Congo (African Refugees)

HC Deb 21 July 1960 vol 627 cc697-8

26. Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what preparations have been made in East Africa for the reception of African refugees from the Congo.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Very few African refugees from the Congo have arrived in East Africa. Like the European refugees, they are being accommodated with their families either in the camps arranged for all refugees or in Government buildings.

Mr. Goodhart

As the number of these African refugees is likely to increase, can my right hon. Friend say whether the cost of caring for them will have to be borne by the local governments or whether the British Government will make a contribution?

Mr. Macleod

At the moment there are only two or three families involved. These are mainly African wives of Belgian citizens, so the problem envisaged by my hon. Friend is not one that at the moment is arising. There has, of course, been some influx back and forth from Ruanda into Uganda.