§ 20. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the chairman of the resettlement board concerning the settlement of Ugandan Asian refugees who still remain in reception centres.
§ Mr. R. CarrWe are in close touch with the Chairman of the Uganda Resettlement Board about the board's policy of maximum dispersal. Everything possible is being done to discourage refugees still in reception centres from going to areas where social facilities are under strain.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department 476W whether he will give, for the latest and most convenient stated date, the total number of Uganda Asians still in residence in the resettlement camps, how many have been rehoused, how many have been placed into employment, how many are awaiting employment, to what extent all the children have been allocated school places and how many are awaiting such placings.
§ Mr. LaneOn 1st December there were 10,315 refugees in the Uganda Resettlement Board's centres, and by the same date about 3,650 people had been rehoused by the board. By 24th November some 1,700 of the refugees had been found jobs by the Department of Employment; just under 3,400 of those in the centres were still waiting to be placed in employment. The provision and allocation of school places are matters for local education authorities.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates he has had discussions with the Uganda Resettlement Board; and what problems were discussed.
§ Mr. LaneOn 14th September my right hon. Friend attended one of the board's meetings, and he is keeping in close touch with the chairman and members of the board on all matters concerned with the board's work.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will arrange for the Uganda Resettlement Board to provide immediate retrospective and long-term financial aid for the London Borough of Newham.
§ Mr. LaneThe board is authorised to make grants to local authorities in respect of expenditure incurred in resettling refugees from Uganda. Details were sent to all local authorities on 1st November. The board has not so far received any applications for grant from the London Borough of Newham.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed list of the authorities 477W which have submitted application for immediate grants from the Uganda Resettlement Board; and how much of the initial provision of £600,000 has been allocated to each of these local authorities.
§ Mr. LanePrior approval is not required for expenditure falling within the terms and limits set out in the board's letter of 1st November to local authorities. Twenty-three authorities have so far sought approval for other expenditure. Ten of these applications have already been approved.