HC Deb 27 January 1949 vol 460 c172W
89. Mr. Haire

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many political refugees have been given asylum in this country during the past 12 months; and what were their countries of origin.

Mr. Ede

A considerable number of the aliens admitted to the United Kingdom in 1948 on compassionate grounds or as workers had in some degree suffered from political persecution, but there is no distinct class of political refugees, and I regret, therefore, that I cannot supply the figures for which my hon. Friend asks.