§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish details of the work on the Rhodesian Emergency Unit; how many former Rhodesian civil servants have been interviewed and resettled by the Unit; how many Rhodesian civilians have been interviewed and resettled by the Unit; and what further steps he is taking to assist civilians who have left Rhodesia because of the Smith regime.
§ Mr. BowdenAs my predecessor said in the House on 22 December 1965 a Unit in the Consular departments of my Office helps people in the Rhodesian public service, Armed Forces, judiciary or Parliament, who resign from their posts on grounds of conscience or are suspended or dismissed by the illegal régime in Rhodesia because of their20W refusal to support it or to carry out unlawful orders. Fifty-two people have so far been accepted under the scheme.
About 100 cases in all have been brought to the Unit's notice. 59 of these have been interviewed. The Unit also arranges interviews with bodies such as the Overseas Services Resettlement Bureau of the Ministry of Overseas Development, the Officers Association and (in the case of those wishing to enter the Home Civil Service) the Treasury. It is not directly responsible for resettlement.
The Unit has also provided co-ordinating machinery with other Government Departments in the administration of the scheme. They have dealt with such matters as payment of fares and baggage allowance.
The Unit has dealt so far with nearly 1,000 oral and written enquiries from members of the public on such subjects as non-payment of pensions, transfer of funds, travel arrangements etc.
No Rhodesian civilians have been interviewed or resettled by the Unit. As my right hon. Friend said in December it is responsible only for public servants.