§ 16. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those deported or removed under police supervision during the last two years from the United Kingdom still remain overseas; how many thus remain separated from their wives and children left in the United Kingdom; and if he will reconsider their position.
§ Mr. LaneThe total is 1,120, of whom 15 left dependent wives and children here. We review all such cases periodically or on application for a deportation order to be revoked. There is a right of appeal where revocation is refused.
§ Mr. AtkinsonDoes the Minister thoroughly understand the suffering of those 15 families? The suffering of young families who have the husband taken away for an unspecified time and who do not know whether he will ever be allowed to rejoin them must be near to the suffering endured by a young 1769 widow. Will the Minister instruct high commisions to inform him immediately a person is deported or forcibly extracted from this country? Will he consider directly such matters, and sympathetically encourage husbands to come back again?
§ Mr. LaneI do not think that there is any need to take further steps. Many of the people deported are rejoining their families, who have been overseas all the time.
§ Sir D. RentonAre the families of those who are deported given the opportunity of returning with their husbands and fathers to their country of origin at our expense?
§ Mr. John FraserIn those cases where a man has been deported and separated from his English-born wife, is not that a clear case of the immigration rules discriminating against women? Will the Home Office consider that matter afresh?
§ Mr. LaneThe rules about which the hon. Gentleman is talking were introduced by the Labour Government in 1969. I am glad that the Opposition now view the matter differently and disapprove of it. There is no case for altering our present rules. We look at these sorts of factors before we make a final decision about every individual deportation case.