§ Mr. Crawford Greeneasked the Minister of Labour what are the grounds upon which able-bodied but indigent foreigners, seeking asylum in this country without giving service to the State whose hospitality they receive, are maintained at the expense of the British taxpayer?
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§ Mr. BevinFor most of the nationalities concerned, there are no funds other than British funds available for the assistance of able-bodied foreigners who have been granted asylum in this country and for whom, for various reasons and through no fault of their own, it has not yet been possible to find employment. Adequate steps are taken to see that assistance is granted only where it is fully justified, and I am glad to be able to say that the number receiving assistance is being steadily reduced. At least 85 per cent. of the refugees between the ages of 16 and 65 in the case of men, and 16 to 50 in the case of women, are already performing useful service.