HL Deb 07 June 1982 vol 431 cc3-4

2.40 p.m.

Viscount Massereene and Ferrard

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 whether, in view of high unemployment and the shortage of suitable housing, they will give generous subsidies to immigrants and their families wishing to return to their country of origin.

Lord Elton

My Lords, assistance is already available from Government funds to those immigrants who have failed to settle here and genuinely wish to return permanently overseas but lack the means. The assistance is limited to the payment of fares and incidental expenses. Resettlement grants are not available; and the Government have no plans to change these arrangements.

Viscount Massereene and Ferrard

My Lords, would the Minister not agree that that is really rather mean? If an immigrant family has been here for a few years and they have no opportunity of getting a job, would my noble friend not further agree that they should then get a generous subsidy if they wish to return home to their country of origin— a subsidy of several thousand pounds? Would my noble friend not also agree that this would not only give them a fuller and more satisfactory life but would also ease the financial burden on the welfare state?

Lord Elton

My Lords, as I have said, the Government are prepared to assist with fares those people whom my noble friend has described. But I think my noble friend should recall that about half the ethnic minority population of this country have this country as their home and their country of birth. There can be no question of giving them an incentive to leave; nor can there be any question of offering anything that might look like a bribe to citizens of this country, and fellow-residents, to leave this country.

Viscount Massereene and Ferrard

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that there was no suggestion of a bribe implied in my Question? I was just trying to help those people who wish to go home to their country of origin.

Lord Elton

My Lords, I am sure my noble friend asked his Question from the best of motives.