HC Deb 23 June 1982 vol 26 cc100-1W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations are being held with the established Polish community in the United Kingdom to facilitate the early reception of Polish refugees in Austria who are now to be admitted here.

Mr. Whitelaw

In their consideration of matters connected with the proposed admission to this country of Polish refugees presently in Austria, my officials have had close contacts with organisations representing the Polish community here and with other bodies which have a specialist interest in the resettlement of refugees. I share my hon. Friend's belief that the Polish Community in Britain can and will make a positive contribution to the resettlement of their fellow nationals. My hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs explained the criteria under which we would consider applications for ressetlement in the reply that he gave on 15 June to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson). Some applications are already under consideration and I expect the first acceptances to be notified in the near future—[Vol. 25, c. 271–272.]