HC Deb 19 February 1970 vol 796 cc178-9W
Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special vouchers have been issued to British passport holders since the passing of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1968, in each of the following countries, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia; how many applications there have been in each of these countries for such vouchers; and how many British passport holders from each of these countries have been refused entry on arrival in Great Britain during the same period of time.

Mr. Luard

I have been asked to reply.

During 1968, 2,572 applications were received for special quota vouchers, and 1,468 vouchers were issued. 1,199 vouchers were issued to applicants in Kenya and 269 to applicants resident elsewhere. It is not possible to break down these figures further for individual countries.

The table below shows applications and issues between 1st January, 1969, and 31st January, 1970:

Applications Issues
Kenya 5,360 1,267
Uganda 1,102 82
Elsewhere 1,782 267
8,244 1,616

Separate figures in respect of Tanzania and Zambia are not available. Of the total number of applications shown, over 700 were cancelled during 1969 when it was found that the applicants had left their country of residence or no longer wished their applications to be considered. Many others, including about 1,300 in India, are under no pressure to leave their homes.

In reply to the last part of the Question, the available information is that from 1st March, 1968, to 31st January, 1970, 42 United Kingdom Passport Holders from East Africa not having vouchers were refused admission and returned abroad.