HC Deb 22 May 1974 vol 874 cc202-3W
Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many South Africans holding exit permits are at present in Great Britain; and how many of these have refugee status.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

During the last 10 years about 100 South Africans holding exit permits have been admitted to the United Kingdom and most are still here. Whether or not they have the technical status of refugees, they are generally free to take employment here and are issued with travel documents on request. We are aware of some difficulty in these arrangements, which we are reconsidering, but I would be grateful for any information available to the hon. Member.