HC Deb 25 April 1932 vol 265 cc32-3
65. Sir COOPER RAWS0N

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to a proposed visit of 600 French people from Boulogne, accompanying the Boulogne Rugby and Cricket Club to Brighton on the 5th May; and whether facilities can be afforded by the Home Office Aliens Department to enable them to disembark from the steamer at one of the Brighton piers in lieu of Newhaven, which would necessitate a special train to Brighton, adding materially to the cost of the trip and causing a deterrent to the Come to Britain movement?

Sir H. SAMUEL

Notice of this visit has just been received, but the proposal is that the excursion should run to Folke-stone. In any case the Aliens Order, 1920, prohibits the landing of foreigners at ports other than approved ports, except with the permission of the Secretary of State in special circumstances. Brighton is not an approved port and if special permission were given for foreigners to land at Brighton it would be impossible to refuse application for a similar concession at other seaside towns which are not approved ports. The staff of Immigration Officers is not sufficiently large to enable officers to be spared for dealing with traffic of this nature at non-approved ports.

Sir C. RAWSON

As my right hon. Friend has a discretion in this matter, will he not make an exception in the case of Brighton, as it is so near, and in view of the fact that these men will be hanging about most of the day doing nothing and may quite easily go over to Brighton at little expense?

Sir H. SAMUEL

I cannot agree about their hanging about doing nothing, but, if exception were made in one case, it could not be refused in a great number of other cases.

Sir C. RAWSON

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if an opportunity is not given in this case the whole of the visit will be abandoned, and that therefore the "Come to Britain" movement will suffer accordingly?

Sir H. SAMUEL

No, Sir. To-day I have received application from the railway company for the admission of the persons on this excursion via Folkestone.