§ Sir B. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that an increasing number of Britons report themselves stranded and ask British consuls abroad to get them home; what was the figure during each of the past three years; how many loans granted to them were repaid; and what action he proposes to stop abuses in this respect.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerDuring the past two financial years and the first eight months of the current financial year cases in which British subjects, either travelling or residing abroad, were repatriated totalled:
1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 (April-Nov.) 2,434 2,730 2,507 Homeward passages are arranged only against signed undertakings to repay the cost. As some repayments are made by instalments, the answer to the third part of the Question is not readily available. I can say, however, that expenditure on repatriation was £62,000 in 1961-62 and £61,000 in 1962–3, and that during each of these years sums recovered in respect of outstanding repatriation debts were of the order of £40,000. The estimates for this year provide for the repayment of a similar sum.
The increase in the number of repatriations is directly related to the greatly increased number of British subjects travelling abroad. Cases of refusal to repay repatriation expenses are referred to the Treasury Solicitor.
Facilities for repatriation can be given by Her Majesty's Consular Officers only in the last resort, where no alternative exists. All applicants for passports are given a pamphlet urging them to take practical precautions against the difficulties and risks of foreign travel.