HC Deb 20 May 1968 vol 765 cc12-3
10. Mr. Alan Lee Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British citizens were stranded abroad and repatriated through the action of British Consuls during 1967.

Mr. William Rodgers

2,398.

Mr. Williams

Would my hon. Friend agree that it is scandalous that constituents of mine, Mr. and Mrs. Bossley, who found themselves involved in the Middle East war last June had to pay £242 of their own money to bring themselves home? Would he agree that there should be some responsibility on the carriers at least to refund part of the return fare and not to escape responsibility entirely?

Mr. Rodgers

The responsibility of the Government in this respect is to make sure that no undue burden shall fall on the taxpayer, whatever the unhappy circumstances anyone finds himself in. The point raised by my hon. Friend is a different one and I think that he might find it worth while to pursue it.