§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any discussions of either a formal or informal nature have recently taken place between officials of his Department and any local authority with regard to preparations to meet an anticipated influx of immigrants whether or not they are United Kingdom passport holders or with regard to related matters.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonI do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by "anticipated influx of immigrants", so there has been no discussion; but there228W have been representations from a number of local authorities about individual cases.
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many United Kingdom passport holders and their dependants have been admitted to the United Kingdom from Malawi during the six months ended 30th June 1975; what is the comparable figure for the first six months for 1974; and what recent discussions have taken place with the Government of Malawi concerning the rate of admissions during 1975.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonInformation about the number of United Kingdom passport holders admitted from Malawi is not available because arrivals of United Kingdom passport holders are not counted by reference to country of origin.
On the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to his Question on 18th July.—[Vol. 895, c. 629.]
§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances Mr. Mohammed Amin and his family were admitted to the United Kingdom at London Airport from Malawi on 24th May; whether any check was made by immigration officials to ascertain whether he and his family had visible means of support; why and at whose expense they were accommodated at the Post House Hotel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonMr. Amin, who is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, was granted a special voucher after he had waited 12 months, because of the straitened circumstances of himself and his family. He arrived here with his family on 24th May. Some families who are admitted under the voucher scheme are unable to provide for themselves immediately on arrival, and it would not be desirable, given that one of the objects of the scheme is to assist such citizens, to refuse them on that account. Mr. Amin and his family were lodged for four days at the Post House hotel at public expense because it was not possible to arrange other temporary accommodation for them over the spring holiday weekend.