HC Deb 06 December 1979 vol 975 c301W
Mr. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will look sympathetically at applications for admission to this country by political refugees from Latin America who are adopted by well established human rights groups in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Raison

Applications for resettlement as refugees from Latin American nationals will be considered on the same criteria as those made by potential

1 December1976–30 November 1977 1December 1977–30 November 1978 1 December 1978–30 November 1979
Arrived 581 491 64
Refused prior entry clearance 954 269 299

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the numbers of refugees seeking entry to the United Kingdom from each of the Latin American countries, with comparable figures over the past two years.

Mr. Raison

I regret that information is not available in the form requested by the hon. Member.

During November 1979, five applications involving 15 people for resettlement in the United Kingdom as refugees were received from nationals of Latin American countries. At the end of November 1979, 104 cases involving 234 people were awaiting decision.

The comparable figures for November 1978 were 28 applications involving 55 people and 108 cases involving 259 people respectively; and for November 1977 there were 26 applications involving 71 people and 135 cases involving 370 people respectively.