§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Rhodesians at present in Botswana have sought the help of the British High Commission there in their attempt to come to Great Britain; how many have been refused such help; how many Rhodesians previously in the same 133W predicament were arrested after their return to Rhodesia and with what consequences; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GodberThere are at present two Rhodesian Africans in Botswana who have applied to our High Commission for permission to come to the United Kingdom. One has been found not to qualify on any grounds and the application of the other to enter Britain as a student is under consideration. In recent weeks, 10 others sought permission to enter the United Kingdom, but were found to be ineligible. These 10 are understood to have left Botswana for Rhodesia and I have no information about their present circumstances.
Last May, 19 Rhodesian Africans also sought permission to come to this country, but they did not qualify by our normal criteria. On return to Rhodesia, three of them were arrested for having previously left the country illegally. Two served prison sentences of about three months and a third serving a similar sentence was taken ill while in prison and was transferred to a hospital where he died of meningitis.