§ Mr. Giles Shawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what checks are made on immigrants who are intending to return to their country of origin who apply for social security funds to pay for their air fare, to ensure that these immigrants do not return to the United Kingdom;
(2) if, in view of the fact that immigrants from the Huddersfield area who have taken advantage of his Department's scheme to pay their air fares to enable them to return to their country of origin have subsequently returned to the United Kingdom, he will institute an inquiry into the working of the scheme.
§ Mr. OrmeBefore immigrants are helped to return to their country of origin searching inquiries are made to establish both the genuineness of their intentions and the prospects of their permanent resettlement. If the hon. Member has particular cases in mind, I shall be glad to have them looked into.
§ Mr. Giles Shawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the cost to public funds of paying for immigrants who wish to return to their country of origin for each of the years since 1949.
§ Mr. OrmeThe information available relates solely to the repatriation costs incurred by the former National Assistance Board and the Supplementary Benefits Commission since 1963.
Year Total cost £ 1963 7,833 1964 7,644 1965 10,321 1966 7,399 1967 9,490 1968 12,589 1969 13,664 1970 15,401 1971 13,504 1972 19,520 1973 15,698 1974 17,401 1975 19,901
§ Mr. Giles Shawasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish details of the scheme by which his Department will pay for the air fares of immigrants who intend to return permanently to their country of origin.
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§ Mr. OrmeHelp with repatriation expenses may be given at the discretion of the Supplementary Benefits Commission provided all the following conditions are satisfied
- (1) The person concerned has virtually no prospects of settling down and making a success of life in this country, whether becauset of physical or mental handicap or sickness or for other reasons—excluding a sickness or for other reasons excluding a temporary high level of unemployment in the locality.
- (2) He is unlikely to find work and save up the fare and the money is not available from other sources.
- (3) He genuinely wishes to return home permanently with his dependants, if any—and it seems to be in his best interest to do so.
- (4) Payment of the fare will lead to an ultimate saving in public funds.