16. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what Regulation, Order in Council, or other legislative enactment, British subjects resident in Great Britain, against whom no criminal proceedings are pending, are prohibited by a Government Department from entering or leaving the realm or from travelling to countries with which His Majesty is at peace; and how many persons have suffered under this prohibition during the last 12 months?
The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)I am not aware of any Regulation or other 2253 enactment such as is suggested in the first part of the question. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member is thinking of cases in which for good cause the Foreign Office have declined to issue a. British passport, I can only say that the grant of a passport is a matter of discretion. I am not in a position to give exact figures, but cases of refusal are rare.
Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Article 44 of Magna Charta it is expressly stated that the subject may
liceat unicuique de cetero exire de, regno nostro, et redire salvo et secureand by what right does the right hon. Gentleman's bureaucrats go against Article 44 of the Charter? May I press for an answer to my question as to whether express permission has to be given under Magna Charta?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt may require some reference.