HC Deb 28 June 1976 vol 914 cc1-2W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps are being taken to publicise to New Commonwealth immigrants the assisted passage scheme for repatriation;

(2) what is the size of the staff employed in operating the assisted passage system for the repatriation of New Commonwealth immigrants;

(3) how many New Commonwealth immigrants were repatriated under the assisted passage scheme in the months of January, February, March, April and May 1976.

Mr. John

Four full-time staff are employed on the scheme by the International Social Service of Great Britain. In addition, a portion of the time of other staff in that organisation and in the Home Office is spent on it. Information about the scheme has been made available to local authorities, the National Council of Social Service, citizens advice bureaux, community relations councils and others, but no special steps are taken to publicise it. 3, 15, 7, 12 and 7 individuals respectively were repatriated under the scheme in the months referred to.

Mr. O'Halloran

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many New Commonwealth immigrants were repatriated under the assisted passage scheme during 1975; and how many of the applications came from the Greater London area.

Mr. John

207 persons were repatriated in 1975 under the terms of Section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971. Of these 53 applied from the Greater London area.