§ 15. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about aid for Chilean refugees in the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. SummerskillRepresentations have been received from the British Council for Aid to Refugees and the Joint Working Group for Aid to Refugees from Chile in Britain about the level of grant paid to the latter. In addition, 15 letters, to similar effect, have been received from various organisations and individuals.
§ Mr. CanavanWill my hon. Friend help to ensure that adequate provision is made for the 3,000 Chilean refugees in this country by increasing the grant from the Voluntary Services Unit to the Joint Working Group for Refugees, especially in view of Government statements to the effect that the refugee programme is one of the most important elements in our support for human rights in Chile and the rest of Latin America?
§ Dr. SummerskillI draw my hon. Friend's attention to the fact that the grant has increased from 1974 when it was £27,000. It has increased annually and for the present year it is £137,500. There are continual meetings with the organisation concerned and there may be some scope for a small additional grant. That is now being examined.
§ Mr. WhitneyWill the Under-Secretary of State be prepared to be similarly generous to refugees from the Soviet Union or other Communist regimes?
§ Dr. SummerskillOur record of giving aid to refugees from wherever they come is extremely creditable both in financial terms and in general assistance.