HC Deb 11 February 1977 vol 925 cc850-1W
Dr. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Argentinian political prisoners Great Britain has undertaken to accept; and how many have actually been accepted and arrived in Great Britain;

(2) how long it takes to process applications from Argentinian political prisoners; and how many have been rejected as politically undesirable for admission to Great Britain.

Dr. Summerskill

No Argentinian prisoners have applied to come here, but, in response to an appeal made last June by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Kingom agreed to accept for resettlement from Argentina up to 75 of the most urgent cases of Latin American refugees of other nationalities who wished to leave that country, together with their dependants.

To date 117 applications have been received in the Home Office under this scheme, but it is not possible to say how many were from prisoners. In 56 cases entry clearance has been granted and seven of those concerned, comprising with their dependants, 23 persons, have arrived in the United Kingdom. The remaining applications are still under consideration. The time taken to process applications varies from case to case.

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