30. Mr. FOOTasked the Prime Minister whether the Government has refused permission to Russian children from the famine area to be received in this country, although a party of Russian boys has been admitted to France; and, if so, on what grounds this decision has been taken?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. His Majesty's Government gave very careful consideration to the application for permission to bring to this country a party of Russian children; but, in view of the risks to public health that would be involved, even if the strictest precautions were observed, they decided, with regret, that permission could not be granted.
Mr. FOOTDid not the Minister of Health say that if certain precautions were taken admittance could take place under the same conditions as to France and other countries?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, but these precautions were only in case the Government decided that the children could be brought here. That is far from indicating any consent that they could come.