§ 60. Mr. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the steps being taken by Her Majesty's Government to receive a large number of Hungarian refugees, and in view of the fact that language is the greatest bar to their quick and gainful employment, whether he will consult with the British Broadcasting Corporation with a view to instituting, as a temporary measure, English lessons for these refugees at off-peak listening times.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI am informed that the Y.M.C.A. who have undertaken, on behalf of the British Council for Aid to Refugees, to make arrangements for teaching English to the refugees, are in close touch with the Teaching of English Department of the B.B.C. and have had substantial help from them in the preparation of material and the training of teachers. I understand that these arrangements are well in hand and material should be available within a few days. It is thought that they are likely to prove more effective in achieving what my hon. Friend has in mind than the broadcasting of English lessons in off-peak listening times, but the matter will be kept under review in the light of experience of their actual working.
§ Mr. Brooman-Whiteasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many refugees from Hungary have arrived in this country; what arrangements have been made for their reception and accommodation; and whether he will make a statement about their disposal.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeYes, I am glad to be able to have this opportunity to inform the House of the arrangements which have been made. The British Red Cross, in consultation with the International Committee for European Migration, have arranged for the transport to this country of refugees who have escaped from Hungary to Austria. The arrangements in this country for reception and accommodation have been undertaken by the British Council for Aid to Refugees, which has co-ordinated the160W activities of all the other voluntary agencies and is working in close contact with the Home Office and other Departments concerned.
On arrival the refugees are taken to barracks which have been placed at the disposal of the Council by the War Office. At these barracks the refugees are registered by the police and provided with any necessary clothing and equipment. They are then moved to hostels in different parts of the country where every endeavour is made to familiarise them with the British way of life and to find employment for them or to place them in accommodation offered by the public. A considerable number of these refugees wish to emigrate to other countries, and it is hoped that early arrangements will be made accordingly. Canada, in particular, has offered to give priority to Hungarian refugees.
By the 11th instant some 11,000 refugees will have been received in this country and the House will be glad to know that this is a number which has not been equalled by any other country in the world. The resources in the way of accommodation which have so far been organised will by that date have been practically exhausted and although Her Majesty's Government have announced that they will place no limit on the number of refugees to be ultimately received they have regretfully come to the conclusion that there must be a temporary suspension of the flow of refugees to this country. This country is faced with great difficulties of accommodation.
I am sure the House would like me to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the untiring devotion of all those voluntary organisations who have undertaken the very difficult task at very short notice and with improvised machinery of dealing with a very large number of refugees.