8.
9.
There was then discussion on the new Immigration Rules which contained some reference to refugees but this was considered inadequate "main objectives were:-
1) Discretion was still given to lmmigration Officers on referral
of cases.
11) No obligation was placed on Immigration Officers to consult
UNHCR or UKIAS
111) No machinery was laid down for the determination of status.
iv) No reference had been made to the right to apply for visas through
British missions overseas.
It was agreed to take this up before the Debate on Immigration in Parliament. The fact that refugees were mentioned in the Rules should be acknowledged but the deficiencies pointed out. The Working Group on De Facto Refugees would meet soon to discuss details.
b) Approach to FCO
HMG had been urged to increase its contribution
to UNHCR and to the special appeals for Uganda and Cambodia.
REPORTS FROM REGIONAL COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS
a)
b)
Summaries of Reports had been circulated. Additional points were reported as follows:- Africa Committee
1) Uganda The Chairman of the Africa Committee had met the new High Commissioner for Uganda to talk about the role which the voluntary agencies might be able to play in the rehabilitation of the country.
ii) Somalia ICRC had launched an appeal for $1 million. There
were some 310,000 refugees in camps in different parts of the country.
Middle-East Committee
Sir John Rennie would take over the Chairmanship at the next meeting on 29 November. No meeting had been held during the period. Lists were being compiled of training schemes for work with mentally and physically handicapped which might be suitable for people from the Middle-East.
Date of Next Meeting
In February or March 1980 to accommodate the Report from the Working Group in the new organisation.
Typed 3 December 1979