HC Deb 26 February 1980 vol 979 cc495-6W
Mr. S. C. Silkin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state for the following periods, or those most nearly approximate to them as practicable, that is, the years ended 31 May 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979, respectively, and from 1 June 1979 to the latest available date (a) the number of applications for entry into the United Kingdom on account of alleged repression in South America, (b) the number of such applications granted, (c) the number of such applications refused and (d) the number of such applications pending.

Mr. Raison

I regret that the information requested is not available. I will consider what figures can be provided and will write to the right hon. and learned Member.

Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to the reply of 15 February to the hon. Member for Anglesey, how many of the 472 applications to remain which were refused were those who were deported by the then Home Secretary on the basis that their continuing presence in the United Kingdom was not conducive to the public good although they had earlier been accepted for permanent settlement on the basis of a marriage that had lasted for at least a year.

Mr. Raison

It is improbable that any of the 472 applications to remain related to people who had already been accepted for permanent settlement.