HC Deb 21 July 1967 vol 750 cc342-3W
Mr. Awdry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British subjects ordinarily resident in Aden have been refused admission into the United Kingdom as visitors since 1st January, 1967.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Between 1st January and 30th June, 1967, four Commonwealth citizens who held passports issued in Aden and claimed to be admitted to the United Kingdom as visitors were refused admission under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962. Two were found to be coming here to seek employment without having Ministry of Labour vouchers, and two did not have sufficient means for their proposed visits.

Mr. Awdry

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an immigration officer at London Airport has authority to return a British subject to Aden and to refuse him admission into the United Kingdom without reference to a Minister in his Department.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The position is covered by my "Instructions to Immigration Officers" (Cmnd. 3064). Under these instructions, the power to refuse admission under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act, 1962 is not to be exercised by an immigration officer acting in his sole discretion: the authority of a chief immigration officer or immigration inspector is always to be obtained (paragraph 43). In particular cases of doubt or difficulty the senior officer at the port is to consult higher authority in the Home Office (paragraph 2).