§ Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Home Secretary whether permits to come to this country can be issued in cases where responsible persons in this country guarantee that for two years the refugee will not become a charge on public funds or seek work?
§ Mr. LloydCertainly such a guarantee would be a first ground for sympathetic consideration in such a case, but there are other factors that have to be taken into account. As my right hon. Friend explained in the House on the 21st instant, applications for the admission of refugees are considered on their merits, regard being paid not only to the provision of a temporary home but also to the ultimate prospects of emigration or settlement. It follows that the question of immediate maintenance of a refugee cannot be wholly divorced from the question of ultimate settlement. The attention of the Home Office has frequently been called to cases of refugees who, having been admitted to this country on the guarantees of private persons, have within a short time of their arrival become a charge upon the funds of the voluntary refugee organisations and are found unsuitable for emigration or settlement.
1972WIt has been necessary, therefore, to require as a general rule that guarantees shall be investigated by the appropriate organisation and that the organisation is in a position to make suitable plans for the refugees' future. To admit, on the strength of limited guarantees, a large number of refugees who eventually might have to be maintained by the organisations would only defeat the splendid work which the organisations are performing in training or resettlement.
§ Mr. Priceasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider admitting to this country a certain number of young Jewish refugees from Germany who are without means or prospects at present, on condition of their undergoing courses of instruction in trade and agriculture preparatory to emigration elsewhere; and whether he will assist in the provision of such instruction?
§ Sir S. HoareA certain number of young persons from Germany have been admitted to this country to be trained for emigration under schemes arranged and financed by the voluntary refugee organisations. I understand that these organisations are preparing to enlarge and extend their present schemes to bring over greater numbers, and facilities for the admission of young persons to be trained for emigration will be readily granted.