HC Deb 20 May 1982 vol 24 cc461-2
12. Mr. Hawksley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will replace the Government assistance given under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971 to the International Social Services for immigrants wishing to return home by a Government-controlled and financed body to help all immigrants wishing to return home.

Mr. Raison

We have no plans to do so.

Mr. Hawksley

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer, which I find somewhat disappointing. In view of the fact that in 1980–81 the International Social Service helped only 139 cases, and in view of the opinion poll of West Indian and African immigrants, which showed that about 59 per cent. wished to go home, it is about time that the Government considered taking over—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must put it in the form of a question, not an opinion.

Mr. Hawksley

In view of that information and the information that I forwarded to my right hon. Friend in a letter from the International Social Service, showing that it has not helped one of my constituents, will he reconsider his answer?

Mr. Raison

We cannot attach too much importance to that opinion poll. Pressure has not been put on us that shows that many people wish to be repatriated. The case of my hon. Friend's constituent occurred in 1979. More recently, there has been a further offer of an interview with his constituent.

Mr. Tilley

Will the Minister repudiate more directly the racism that comes from many of his Back Benchers by agreeing with me that to talk of sending black British people home is an evil nonsense, because they are home already?

Mr. Raison

The hon. Gentleman does not put his case as temptingly as he might, but I am prepared to say that a campaign for repatriation would do nothing to help lace relations in this country.

Mr. Dorrell

Does my right hon. Friend accept that his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Mr. Hawksley) was welcome and that it is hard to imagine a scheme better calculated to damage race relations than one in which the Government appear to encourage immigrants to leave Britain?

Mr. Raison

The present arrangements are the right way to deal with the problem. I repeat that I do not believe that a massive campaign to stimulate repatriation would' do any good.

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