HC Deb 15 December 1981 vol 15 cc65-6W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to uprate and index-link the baggage allowance of £150 for the voluntary repatriation scheme under the Immigration Act 1971; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Whitelaw

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Mr. Proctor) on 10 December.—[Vol. 14, c.455.]

Mr. Hawkins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the procedures by which a person may apply under the voluntary repatriation scheme to return to his country of origin and the address to which such persons should apply.

Mr. Raison

There are two schemes under which assistance with travel and incidental expenses is available from Government funds for immigrants to this country who wish to return permanently overseas but lack the means. One is operated under the supplementary benefits legislation. Would-be applicants in receipt of supplementary benefit should approach their local supplementary benefits office in the first instance. The other scheme is operated on the Government's behalf by the International Social Service of Great Britain, Cranmer House, 39 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DD to which those who are interested, and not receiving supplementary benefit, should apply. Resettlement grants are not payable under either scheme.