§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is satisfied that the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service is making effective use of its grant;
(2) what grant was awarded to the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service in 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76 and for 1976–77;
(3) how many people were employed by the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service at the end of 1974, 1975 and at the latest possible date;
(4) if he is fully confident that adequate provision to advise immigrants on their rights and status in the United Kingdom is being made at the present time by the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service;
(5) if there are any Government grant-aided organisations available for advising immigrants of their rights and status in this country other than the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service;
(6) how many members of staff left the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service in 1974, 1975 and to date in 1976.
§ Dr. SummerskillGrant payments of £104,000, £142,000 and £212,000 were made to the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service in 1973–74, 1974–75 and 425W 1975–76 respectively; a figure of £253,000 has been approved for 1976–77.
We are satisfied that effective use is made of these funds and that they are adequate for the purpose of providing advice and assistance to persons having the right of appeal under the Immigration Act 1971. Grants under Section 23 of the Act are not made to any other organisation, but general advice to immigrants is available at all citizens' advice bureaux.
The Service had a complement of 53 staff at the end of 1974. This was increased early in 1975 to its current level of 58, and I understand that 55 of these posts were occupied as at 1st April 1976. We have no responsibility for the day-to-day affairs of the service, which is an independent organisation, and have no detailed knowledge of individual staff resignations and appointments.