HC Deb 01 March 1978 vol 945 cc236-7W
Mr. Arthur Latham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision Her Majesty's Government are making for refugees from Chile; what provision Her Majesty's Government are making for refugees from Latin America other than from Chile; and whether Her Majesty's Government intend to establish a general fund for refugees.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

In addition to the provisions in the Immigration Rules relating to political asylum, my predecessor announced in July 1975 revised criteria for accepting people detained in Chile on political grounds, and in July 1976 offered to accept 75 people from Argentina considered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to be in exceptional danger. The 1975 criteria continue to apply and applications continue to be processed from Argentina although the numerical quota has been filled. I am currently reviewing the situation.