§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many persons seeking refuge from persecution in Chile have sought and been granted help from Her Majesty's Embassy in Santiago and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many persons seeking refuge from persecution in Chile have sought and been refused help from Her Majesty's Embassy in Santiago; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AmeryA total of 14 direct requests for asylum were made to Her Majesty's Embassy. Three British subjects and one Irish citizen were accommodated by the embassy for short periods 395W until they were able to leave the country. Ten other requests were made which were not from United Kingdom or Irish citizens. It is not the policy of Her Majesty's Government that British embassies should be used for providing asylum to non-British nationals. An ambassador has discretion to offer sanctuary to non-British individuals who are under immediate threat of death or injury in the vicinity of the embassy. Those persons mentioned above who requested asylum did not, however, come under this category.