§ 19. Mr. Sydney Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his review of the operation of Section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971, with regard to the repatriation of Commonwealth immigrants.
§ Mr. R. Carrpursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 29th March 1973: Vol. 853, c. 1520], circulated the following information:
The present basic means-related criterion is that average weekly earnings of the family group in question may not exceed supplementary benefit level plus £2. This limit is to be raised to supplementary benefit level plus £5. In addition there will be greater flexibility in allowing certain expenses to be offset against income for the purpose of determining whether or not this level is reached. In cases presenting exceptional difficulties, applicants whose income is greater than the specified limits may be considered for assistance.Applicants in regular employment will no longer be excluded from the scheme provided that they satisfy the other criteria, including that relating to income.Each family unit will be allowed to retain up to £500 capital before being required to contribute towards the cost of travel.When the scheme was originally established, information about it was issued through local authorities and other local and national agencies, including voluntary organisations, to whom immigrants wishing to return overseas could be expected to go for advice. The 18W attention of all these bodies will be drawn to the changes set out above.I shall continue to keep the working of the scheme under review, and will consider in due course whether any further changes may be required.