HC Deb 14 March 1957 vol 566 cc209-10W
Mr. Armstrong

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent communication has been received by Her Majesty's Government from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on the subject of Hungarian refugees; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. R. A. Butler

A communication has been received from the High Com6missioner asking that an increased number of Hungarian refugees should be admitted to the United Kingdom. Her Majesty's Government propose in reply to draw attention to the fact that about 19,000 Hungarian refugees have now been admitted and that refugees are still being brought here under the arrangement by which the United Kingdom undertook to take 5,000 from Austria to replace those which the Canadian Government are proposing to take from us. The reception and resettlement of the refugees create great difficulties in regard to accommodation and raise a number of administrative problems. Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that the United Kingdom, which is not an immigration country, has made a substantial and effective contribution towards the liquidation of the Hungarian refugee problem, and do not feel able to give any assurance that more refugees can be admitted after effect has been given to the arrangement referred to above. However, a considerable number of the refugees now in the United Kingdom wish to move on to countries other than Canada. If these countries find themselves able to admit these refugees Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to consider the acceptance of an equivalent number from Austria.