§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now allow heads of Ugandan Asian families who are in Europe to join their families in this country.
§ Mr. R. CarrWhen Asians were expelled from Uganda, we accepted responsibility for those who held United Kingdom passports. We have no similar responsibility for others who were expelled, some of whom went to third countries in various parts of the world, and some of whom were admitted to camps in Europe which were organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
The High Commissioner has today informed me that of the 3,600 refugees from Uganda accepted into his camps in Europe, he has already succeeded in placing 1,100 people in 16 different countries. About 1,000 others are currently being processed for permanent settlement. He has recently visited a number of other countries in Europe, as well as Canada and the United States of America, and has sent representatives to other countries. He is currently discussing with the Governments concerned the resettlement of the remaining 1,500 refugees still in European transit camps. After reviewing the latest situation with him I have decided, as an act of humanity in reuniting families, and as the United Kingdom's contribution to resolving the remaining refugee problem, to admit for settlement about 300 men who were expelled from Uganda and are now in Europe and whose wives and children are in the United Kingdom. I have also told the High Commissioner that we shall look sympathetically at about 100 other Ugandan refugees who have arrived in 145W this country but have not yet been admitted for settlement, and also at a smaller number in Europe whose circumstances present strong compassionate features.