HC Deb 06 April 1925 vol 182 cc1820-1
84. Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a delegation of Russian Communists, under the leadership of M. Tomsky, has arrived in this country and what is the purpose of their visit?

Captain BENN

On a point of Order. May I, Mr. Speaker, draw your attention to this question, and inquire whether an hon. Member is entitled to ask the Home Office for particulars of any alien landing in this country and what is the purpose that he declares to be the object of his visit?

Mr. SPEAKER

The Home Office under the present law has certain duties in regard to the admission of aliens, and for that reason the aliens come under the administration of the Home Secretary.

Captain BENN

On a further point of Order. May I suggest to you, Sir, that the purpose of the question is not to get administrative details, and is it not the case that any question which contains any political innuendo would be very properly refused at the Table?

Mr. SPEAKER

One of the most difficult parts of my duty is dealing with questions that would appear to have some hidden meaning. I do not pretend to have an inside knowledge of 600 minds, but I do my best in the matter.

Mr. B. SMITH

You do it very well, Sir.

Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

On a point of Order. Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman entitled to impute motives?

Mr. MACLEAN

Would a Member of this House be in Order in putting a question down to the Home Office, or the Prime Minister, asking what was the purpose of the visit of any foreign royalty to this country? Would that question be accepted at the Table?

Mr. SPEAKER

I have known such questions from time to time, but I endeavour to prevent the Order Paper being improperly used. With respect to the present question, I did not see anything in it calling for remark.

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)

I would refer to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to the hon. and gallant Members for Chertsey (Sir P. Richardson) and Bournemouth (Sir H. Croft).