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DUTCH REFUGEE QUOTA
1. The State Secretary in the Netherlands Ministry of Justice, Mrs Virginie Korte, announced last week that she would propose to the Cabinet that the number of refugees invited to settle in the Netherlands each year should be doubled to 500. However, she warned Parliament during a debate on her Ministry's 1986 budget that she could offer no guarantee that the Cabinet would approve her proposals.
2. The Dutch Government currently invites 250 refugees to the Netherlands each year under a "quota agreement" with the UNHCR. In addition to refugees admitted under the quota system, the Dutch Government grants asylum to a number of refugees each year on the basis of individual asylum applications. A motion submitted by the small Pacifist Socialist Party (PSP) in last month's three day debate on the 1986 state' budget called for the annual quota to be raised to 500. The Second Chamber still has to vote on the motion, but the two largest parties, Labour and the Christian Democrats, have voiced support. Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers advised the Chamber last month to reject the motion. Mrs Korte told the Chamber in her announcement that an increase in the refugee quota would lead to extra costs for certain ministries and was therefore likely to meet resistance within the Cabinet. The State Secretary went on to dismiss opposition allegations that she was leading a crackdown by the Dutch authorities on asylum seekers. Mrs Korte has frequently come under fire this year for her handling of policy towards asylum seekers from Sri Lanka and Iran in particular.
3. We shall keep you informed of any further developments.
cc T E Jones Esq, WED/
SEAD
!
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28 NOVIC25
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