HL Deb 13 October 1969 vol 304 cc1211-3

2.45 p.m.

LORD O'HAGAN

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the police cannot be relieved of the invidious duty of vetting accommodation intended for dependants of Commonwealth immigrants.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (BARONESS SEROTA)

My Lords, we have consulted the local authority associations about the suggestion made by the Wilson Committee on Immigration Appeals, that inquiries into accommodation and similar matters arising from entry certificate and visa applications might be undertaken by local authority welfare services rather than by the police. The local authority associations on the whole took the view that such inquiries were not a suitable task for welfare workers in local authority services. But the Corporation of the City of London and the London Boroughs Association have taken a more favourable view of the Wilson Committee's suggestion, and consultation with them is proceeding with a view to setting up a pilot experiment in Greater London.

LORD O'HAGAN

My Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether she is aware that the noble Lord, Lord Stonham, is probably glad to get rid of me, and that even she will have a tough job rivalling his patience and concern over issues like this? Is the noble BARONESS also aware that I am asking her about the stumbling block to good relations between the police and the immigrant community?

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, we are aware of the difficulties, and I think we would accept that the use of the police for this particular service is not always ideal. As I pointed out in my reply to the noble Lord, we are seeking possible and appropriate alternatives to the use of the police for this service, but in the meantime we have to provide a 24-hour service, and the police are providing it well.

LORD WADE

My Lords, may I ask the noble BARONESS whether there are not a certain number of voluntary services which might be willing to assist the local authority welfare services in this matter?

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, in certain cases, such as, for example, the case of a relative other than a parent who wishes to bring a young child into this country, the local authority children's service is used. Similarly, one might think of certain voluntary services being used in this way. But I understood the noble Lord's Question to apply to the scheme as a whole, and I can assure the House that this matter is under active consideration by my right honourable friend.