§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss in the United Nations an approach to Governments of countries which are not members of the United Nations the need to accept a fair proportion of refugees wishing to go to those countries.
§ Mr. LuardIt would be inappropriate to discuss this in the United Nations, at a time when many member States have themselves yet to contribute to a solution. The Government have, however, encouraged certain non-member States to do more in this respect.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose in the United Nations a quota system for all countries to which refugees wish to go and seek the urgent acceptance of such a quota.
§ Mr. LuardThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has already proposed a quota system to help refugees in South-East Asia and has pressed for its urgent application. In response, and as part of a wider international effort, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 17 January his decision to admit to the United Kingdom a further 1,500 Vietnamese refugees.