§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the increase in applications for repatriation assistance from 1980–81 to 1981–82; and whether he expects this increase to continue in future years.
§ Mr. RaisonIt is not possible to ascribe the increase in applications to a particular cause or causes, nor to predict the future level of applications.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon of 14 June, Official Report, c. 188, whether he is satisfied that local authorities, citizens' advice bureaux, community relations councils and chief officers of police are still aware of the existence and operation of the Government's repatriation scheme; whether he will take steps to re-issue circulars No. 244/1971 and No. 64/1973 to all these bodies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonWe have no reason to doubt that most persons or bodies who, in the course of their work, may be asked to give advice to immigrants who are thinking about returning to their country of origin are aware that, in certain circumstances, assistance from Government funds can be made available. As I have already indicated, it is not the Government's intention to give further publicity to these arrangements.