§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the 24,000 Iranians who returned to the United Kingdom in 1979 from temporary absence abroad had originally been allowed to enter the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RaisonStatistics about the purpose from which these people were originally admitted are not available, but the total will include a good proportion of students in the middle of courses, as well as people who have been accepted for settlement after four years' residence—for example as business men, self-employed persons or persons of independent means—or as a result of marriage. The figure of 24,000 relates to the number of journeys made and therefore includes some people who returned more than once during the course of 1979.
§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how 290W many of the Iranians given leave to enter the United Kingdom in 1978 for a period of less than 12 months are still in the United Kingdom and on what basis they remain; how many of the 117,700 Iranians given leave to enter the United Kingdom in 1979 for a period of less than 12 months have failed to leave on time; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonI regret that this information is not available.