§ 17. Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has received regarding the treatment in Sri Lanka of Tamils deported from the United Kingdom during the last month; and if this will be taken into account when decisions on future deportations are made.
§ Mr. RentonThere is no obligation under the United Nations convention on refugees to monitor the treatment of unsuccessful asylum seekers after return to their country of origin, and we have no mechanism for doing so. I understand, however, from our High Commission in Colombo that Tamils recently returned there have not been harassed in any way on arrival and that one has specifically stated that he has encountered no problems since his return.
So far as future cases are concerned, each will be considered on its merits in the light of all the relevant circumstances.