HC Deb 25 October 1972 vol 843 cc316-7W
Mr. Warren

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish a list showing the number of Asian refugees from Uganda who have been, or are going to be, accepted by Commonwealth countries.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home

The Governments of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are admitting all their own citizens expelled from Uganda. These are thought to number some 6,000–7,000. In addition, United Kingdom passport holders are being allowed to go initially to those countries, and over 2,000 are so far known to have arrived there.

The following other Commonwealth countries have offered to admit numbers of Asian refugees: Canada—5–6,000. Malawi—500–1,000. Australia—No exact figure but some 300 visas have already been issued. New Zealand—200. Fiji—10 families. Guyana—A small number. Mauritius—A small number.

The figures for Canada and Australia include both United Kingdom passport holders and Stateless persons. That for Guyana refers to stateless persons only.

Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now provide a list showing in detail how many Ugandan Asians have now been brought to the United Kingdom; how many have been found jobs and homes; how many are still living in camps; how many more Asians are expected to arrive and what numbers have been sent to other countries; and what countries have co-operated with Her Majesty's Government in resettlement.

Mr. Kershaw

Up to 23rd October, 18,555 Ugandan Asians had arrived in the United Kingdom. Of these 10,103 were still housed in resettlement centres at that date. Up to 20th October, 569 persons from resettlement centres had been resettled by the Uganda Resettlement Board.

Although no firm figures are available, indications are that possibly about 4,000–5,000 more Ugandan Asians will be coming to the United Kingdom, and that about 3,000 United Kingdom passport holders have so far gone to other countries, notably India, Pakistan and Canada. In addition to the above-mentioned countries, West Germany, Malawi, New Zealand, Sweden, Austria, Australia, Fiji, Mauritius and Iran are co-operating with Her Majesty's Government over the resettlement of United Kingdom passport holders. Some other Governments have made offers which are not for publication at this stage. A number of Latin American countries have offered help under arrangements being made by the Intergovernmental Committee on European Migration. Other countries, notably the United States, have offered to accept Stateless persons.