§ 106. Mr. Rentonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many European British subjects now wishing to leave India are unable to do so through lack of means; and what steps are being taken to evacuate them from India, and meanwhile to relieve them of the plight which many of them are suffering owing to destitution.
§ Mr. Gordon-WalkerThe United Kingdom High Commissioners in India and Pakistan have authority to pay for 183W passages home for destitute European British subjects who are domiciled in the United Kingdom. The arrangement is similar to that made for distressed British subjects in foreign countries. By 31st January, 659 applications for assisted passages had been received. Of these 129 had been approved, 149 withdrawn, 73 rejected and the remaining 308 cases were then under examination. There has so far been no difficulty in finding shipping accommodation for destitute persons. There are several private charities and funds available in India and Pakistan for the relief of destitute Europeans, including the funds of ex-Service associations.