§ Mr. Barnettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now seek to amend section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 to extend its provisions to meet the needs of Vietnamese refugees.
§ Mr. WaddingtonMy right hon. Friend has no plans at present to amend section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received advocating the extension of section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 to enable local auhorities to provide assistance to Vietnamese refugees.
§ Mr. WaddingtonSince last September we have received representations from the British Refugee Council and the London borough of Greenwich.
§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial assistance is available from his Department to enable local authorities with substantial numbers of Vietnamese refugees in their area to provide specialised support and assistance to such refugees.
§ Mr. WaddingtonNo financial assistance to local authorities is currently available from the Department for this specific purpose. We do, however, continue to fund a programme of support for the Vietnamese, run under the auspices of the British Refugee Council; it will cost about £400,000 in 1986–87.