HC Deb 01 December 1977 vol 940 cc319-21W
Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when and by what amount police rent allowances were last increased.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Maximum rent allowances payable to police officers vary from force to force and are reviewed on different dates.

The current maximum limits for federated ranks in each force in England and Wales are set out in the following table, together with the former limits set one or two years previously.

overthrow of its elected Government and the murder of President Allende.

Dr. Summerskill

2,391 Latin American refugees were known to have arrived here up to 31st October 1977.

Mrs. Wise

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish the criteria used to establish whether or not to give asylum to people seeking refuge in the United Kingdom from Chile.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

In July 1975, my predecessor announced that the United Kingdom would continue to play its part in taking as refugees a share of those detained in Chile on political grounds; and that, for the rest, we would in general confine admissions to those under political pressure in the following categories: (a) cases where there are marked compassionate circumstances; (b) cases where there are ties with the United Kingdom, including cases of family unity; and (c) people wishing to come here to study or to continue in academic life. In all cases acceptance would continue to be dependent upon personal acceptability and reliable sponsorship in this country.

In July 1976, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees appealed to selected countries to share the burden of resettlement outside Latin America of a number of people in Argentina not of Argentinian nationality whose lives or liberty appeared to be at greatest risk; the United Kingdom agreed to accept 75 cases.

Applications relating to political detainees in Chile are still being received. The programme for the 75 cases in Argentina referred to above has been completed, but applications from others in the same circumstances are also still being sympathetically considered. Special provision exists for those seeking resettlement for political reasons who fall under the auspices of the World University Service and receive awards enabling them to continue or resume further education or post-graduate studies. In all categories, the criterion of individual acceptability continues to be maintained.

Out of 38 countries which have accepted Chilean and other Latin American refugees since October 1973, the United Kingdom is third in the numbers received for resettlement, and there has been no interruption in the flow since the programme commenced.