§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the amounts of financial aid given to the United Kingdom Immigrants Advisory Service in each year since its inception and, as immigration is being drastically reduced, why the 1977–78 figure has risen to £27,000; and what action is contemplated in reducing this amount, in view of the fall of immigration.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe information requested is as follows:
£ 1970–71 52,419 1971–72 75,000 1972–73 85,000 1973–74 104,500 1974–75 142,000 1975–76 212,000 1976–77 259,000 The figure for 1977–78 is estimated at £270,000, a 4.2 per cent. increase over 1976–77 mainly due to the rising costs of salaries. There has been no appreciable reduction in the number of appellants requiring representation before the immigration appellate authorities and consequently no action is contemplated at present to reduce the grant.