75. Mr. Garner-Evansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the growing refugee 228W problem in Europe, he will adopt a more liberal attitude to the entry of refugees into this country and especially to the entry of those elderly refugees who have relations or friends here who are prepared to support them.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI assume that my hon. Friend is referring primarily to refugees from the Soviet Zone of Germany. As regards the admission of elderly people, the basic conditions of the Distressed Relatives Scheme have for some time been liberally interpreted, and sympathetic consideration is given to any case where a substantial claim for admission can be founded on close relationship to a resident of the United Kingdom coupled with compassionate circumstances. I should not, however, feel justified in relaxing present requirements so far as to allow refugees to come here to live solely because of an offer of accommodation and maintenance.