§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make arrangements to enable asylum in the United Kingdom to be offered to political refugees from Botswana and Lesotho.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI have been asked to reply.
I would be prepared to consider any individual case which appears to have special merits. But insofar as the Question relates to persons who claimed to be refugees on entering Botswana or Lesotho from another country, Her Majesty's Government does not recognise any obligation to offer an alternative place of 254W residence. This is in accordance with general international practice.