§ 62. Sir CHARLES TOWNSHENDasked the. Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Foreign Office is refusing passports to Turkey to Members of Parliament when other people not in Parliament and not in Government service are being permitted freely to visit that country.
§ Mr. PARKER (for Mr. Cecil Harms-worth)A passport to proceed to Turkey has been refused to no Member of Parliament except the hon. and gallant Member himself. The reason of this refusal, as has been more than once explained to him, was that, in the view of His Majesty's Government, his appearance in Turkey would be misinterpreted by our Allies, as well as by the Greeks and the Turks, and would consequently be prejudicial to the present negotiations for peace.
Mr. HERBERTIs there any precedent for refusing the hon. and distinguished Member of this House a passport to a foreign country simply because he happens to disapprove of the policy of the Government?
§ Mr. PARKERI am afraid I am not in a position to answer. The representative of the Foreign Office is ill.
§ Sir C. TOWNSHENDI beg to give notice that I will put a question to the Leader of the House on Wednesday.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYOn a point of Order. Is it not a reflection on this House for a passport visa to be refused to one of its most distinguished Members?
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTOn that same point of Order. Has your attention been called to the fact that another hon. and gallant Gentleman had a passport to Genoa and to Germany during the recent Recess and yet it is denied to my hon. and gallant Friend?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is not part of my duty to examine the credentials of Members applying for passports.