From late-night shopping to a feast of new foods and flavours, Harrow politicians have spoken about how dictator Idi Amin's expulsion of Asians from Uganda "electrified" the area.

In a House of Lords debate yesterday to mark the 40th anniversary of the expulsion, Lord Popat of Harrow - himself a Ugandan Asian who came to Harrow in 1971 - paid tribute to the contribution the community has made to the UK, and thanked the British for supporting them.

Lord Popat spoke of how 60,000 Ugandan Asians were expelled by dictator Idi Amin, and of how between August and November 1972 many moved to Harrow.

Lord Dykes, the former Conservative Member of Parliament for Harrow East, also took part in the debate.

He outlined the impact of the Ugandan Asian community in the borough.

He said: “Harrow was electrified into becoming an interesting, riveting place, not only because the local corner shop stayed open until midnight or even 1am, but for all the other contributions that this remarkable community has made.”

Lord Popat concluded the debate by thanking the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who helped the refugees settle.

He said: “The tale of Ugandan Asians in Britain is one that makes me proud, particularly when I see how much the new generation of British Indians have excelled.

“In 40 years, we have come far and I hope that our community continues to pay Britain back for what she has given us.”