6.
7.
She feared that the present role of SCOR might be weakened. She
sked that organisations should have an opportunity for discussion of the proposals within their Executive Committees.
a)
Col Mackay (SCF) urged that interim comments should be fed back by agencies before the final recommendations were made by the Working Group.
e) The Chairman explained that this had been intended and it was agreed that organisations should send in practical proposals by the end of December to John Ennals (UKIAS, Brettenham House, 7th floor, Savoy Street, London WC2 (tel: 240 5176) who was Secretary of the Working Group.
f) Some members asked for clarification of points in the text. These would be considered at further meetings of the Working Group.
LATIN AMERICA
There was discussion on what action to take on the announcement on 29 October by the Home Secretary that the programme for Latin American refugees would be closed down:-
a) Mr Gordon Hutchinson (JWG) reported on his tour of Latin America earlier in 1979. He had found at least 2500 political prisoners in Argentina and 2000 in Uruguay and had hoped that HMG would follow up its previous agreement to open up the programme to other refugees than Chileans. He had evidence that Home Office figures did not confirm the Home Secretary's statement that the number of applications
for entry to UK and the numbers arriving had dwindled over the last yea b) The decision had evidently been due to a statement made by, the UN High Commissioner to h. s Executive Committee that the programme no longer had priority.
The UNHCR had not mentioned the continuing problem but a Report on Resettlement had shown that there were still some 500 waiting for visas; and about 100 new registrations each month. Also there were many known to the voluntary agencies who were in need of visas but not registered with UNHCR.
d)
Several agencies, groups and individuals had already approached the Home Secretary.
e) Some members felt that, as HMG was unlikely to change their decision, it would be better to follow up the Government promise to consider individual cases with special links with UK and to urge lenient interpretation of criteria.
f) It was agreed to endorse a Resolution drafted by Lord Avebury, supported by the Latin-America Committee and to send this to the Home Secretary with a letter passing on other points raised. If this were not successful, a further approach should be made asking for clarification of criteria, quoting examples of decisions which had not conformed with traditional policy. World University Service and
the Joint Working Group were asked to provide details of cases in which the basis for discretionary power was not understood.
INDO-CHINA
a) Report on SCOR Campaign
The Campaign had been intended to provide information as a public education exercise; to urge HMG to accept at least 10,000 refugees and to contribute generously; to enlist offers of help; and finally to collect funds. It had therefore been surprising that so far £110,000 had been received. after administration and advertising expenses had been deducted. Money was still coming in.
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