Extracts from debate including comments made by Arthur Lewis M.P. (West Ham North from 1950 to 1974.) in the House of Commons about the Government’s handling of the Ugandan Asians expulsion on 6 December 1972. Catalogue ref: T353/27 f6
[Continued parliamentary debate from above by Arthur Lewis]
“By all means let us help the Ugandan Asians in every possible way; let us prepare to help the Kenyan Asians when they come, as they will; but let us also help the people who are already here and have been suffering hardships for years. I do not want them to get any more than the Ugandan Asians; I want them to get the same.
The Ugandan Asians in resettlement camps get a home, furniture, linen, lighting and fuel. They get food, which is cooked for them, and contractors clean their apartments -paid for by the taxpayer. They do nothing to keep their apartments clean. They are also supplied with entertainment and television sets. Good luck to them; God Bless them; may they get all this for as long as they want it. All I want is for my constituents to have the same. Motions have been tabled asking for old-age pensioners to have free television licences. If the Ugandan Asians can have television sets why cannot the old-age pensioners?”
- What is M.P. Timothy Raison’s view on the government’s response to the expulsion of Ugandan Asians?
- What does he infer about the public response to the settlement of Ugandan Asians in Britain?
- What are M.P. Arthur Lewis views on the matter?
- Can you explain their different responses?
- How far do parliamentary debates on this topic help us understand these events?
- Listen to Mayur’s oral testimony. What was the actual experience for those who came?
- How were Ugandan Asians treated in the community according to this oral testimony?