§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the number of people of West Indian origin who wish to return to their original countries but are unable to do so for lack of financial assistance; and how he arrives at this assessment.
§ Mr. WaddingtonWe have not carried out any formal survey of attitudes to repatriation among people of West Indian origin; but our assessment, based on the demand for assistance under the Government's existing schemes, under which financial assistance with travel arrangements can be provided for those who want to return but lack the means to do so, is that comparatively few genuinely wish to return permanently to their country of origin.