§ Mr. LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the facilities available for immigrants who seek voluntary repatriation; how many have applied for such repatriation over the past five years; what has been the cost; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldFinancial assistance is available in certain circumstances from public funds for non-British citizens settled in this country who wish to return permanently overseas to a non-European country. The scheme, which is operated under section 29 of the Immigration Act 1971, is administered on behalf of the Government by the International Social Service of Great Britain. Assistance, which is means-tested, and is limited to the payment of fares and incidental expenses incurred in leaving the United Kingdom, including the transport of a small amount of personal effects. There is no resettlement grant.
Over the past five years the number of applications, the number of cases assisted, the number of individuals leaving the United Kingdom and the cost were as follows: