HC Deb 22 March 1982 vol 20 cc259-60W
Mr. Churchill

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many individuals have applied for assistance for voluntary repatriation to their countries of origin under the Department of Health and Social Security scheme for each of the past 10 years; and, of these applications, how many have been refused.

Mr. Newton

The number of applications for assistance with voluntary repatriation under the Department's scheme and the number refused in each of the last 10 years is given below. Applications are made initially on behalf of family groups and it is to these groups that the figures refer. The figures for refusals do not include those applications which are not proceeded with, for example because the claimant changes his mind or returns home unassisted.

Year Applications Refusals
1972 344 96
1973 351 87
1974 253 71
1975 257 77
1976 205 64
1977 306 89
1978 312 150
1979 184 74
1980 113 43
1981 186 106