HC Deb 09 March 1925 vol 181 cc901-2
6. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India in which British Bominions or Crown Colonies there is prohibition against the entry of Indian citizens of British India; in which British Dominions or Crown Colonies there are restrictions or conditional entry for Indians from British India; what are the conditions; and whether citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland and of the British Dominions have full right of entry and domicile in India, or if there are any restrictions to which any of them are subjected?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)

The entry of British Indian subjects into the Dominions and Colonies is governed by the provisions of the various Dominion and Colonial immigration laws, which vary, and which it would be impossible to summarise briefly. These laws do not, however, specially restrict the entry of Indians as such, though in Canada and the Union of South Africa there are regulations affecting the entry of Asiatics, I would refer the hon. Member to the terms of the Resolution adopted at the Imperial War Conference of 1918, and printed on page 8 of Cd. 9177, which indicates generally the policy of the Dominions in the matter. As regards entry into India, the Immigration into India Act, 1924, provides that the Governor-General in Council may make rules for the purpose of securing that persons not being of Indian origin, domiciled in any British possession, shall have no greater rights and privileges, as regards entry into and residence in British India, than are accorded by the law and administration of such possession to persons of Indian domicile. No rules have at present been issued under this Act.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Does the answer apply to Crown Colonies as well as British Dominions? is Kenya the only Crown Colony restricting the immigration of British Indians?

Mr. AMERY

My answer applies equally to Crown Colonies and Dominions.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is there any other Crown Colony besides Kenya which has imposed these restrictions?

Mr. AMERY

Kenya has not imposed restrictions.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is it not a fact that Indians are refused the right of domicile in South Africa, Canada and Australia?

Sir HARRY BRITTAIN

Is it not only right that British Dominions of every section shall have a full say as to whom they admit into their own country?

Mr. LANSBURY

Then why should not the Indians have an equal right to keep white men out of India?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter of argument leading up to a Debate.