§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he is delaying the offering of visas to Argentinian political refugees.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThere is no policy of delaying entry clearances.
269WThe United Kingdom has been one of the leading countries for the admission of refugees from Latin America. Since the Chilean coup in 1973 more than 2,700 have arrived here, a figure bettered by a few of the 40 or more countries participating in the resulting resettlement exercise, and internationally compiled figures show the United Kingdom as being one of the leading countries last year in receiving refugees of various nationalities from Argentina. Entry clearance have been made available to others who may yet arrive.
I have had under review our policy with regard to the admission of refugees from Latin America. Hitherto, I have considered applications made there in respect of Chilean refugees and certain non-Argentinian nationals in Argentina who were in special danger. In future, I shall exceptionally accept for consideration applications from people in Latin America, including those in their own countries, who can show a genuine need for resettlement and who have ties with this country. Cases will be considered on their individual merit and will, as hitherto, be subject to the criterion of individual acceptability.