§ 22. Mr. DORANasked the Home Secretary if, in view of the present situation in Germany, he will take steps to prevent any alien Jews entering this country from Germany?
§ Sir J. GILMOURIt is not within the contemplation of the law that there should be discrimination against aliens on grounds of religious belief or racial origin, but there are adequate powers under the Aliens Order to protect this country from any undesirable influx of aliens, and, as I stated in reply to a question by the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on 21st February, the principle on which this Order is administered is that the interests of this country must predominate over other considerations.
§ Mr. BUCHANANMay I raise a point of Order about this question? I hope that I am not too sensitive, but I wish to ask if the phrase "alien Jews" in the question is a proper phrase to use in this connection, seeing that the question relates to aliens generally; and, may I also ask, is the phrase "alien Jews" not an offensive phrase to use of people who are represented here?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI see no objection to the question.
§ Mr. HANNONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will make it perfectly clear to the House that no disability of any kind will be imposed on any immigrant coming into this country on account of his religion?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir. Each case is considered on its merits.
§ Mr. DORANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that hundreds of thousands of Jews are now leaving Germany and scurrying from there to this country, and that other countries are closed against them; and is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that, as regards the Aliens Act, you can drive a carriage-and-pair through it and that aliens are coming here, on three months' and six months' leave in order to get naturalisation?
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House quite certainly to understand that, whatever restrictions are applied, Jews will not be separated out for special treatment and repression?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir, certainly. There is no differentiation in these cases. Each is judged on its merits.
§ Mr. DORANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, seeing that the original question is mine: Are we prepared in this country to allow aliens to come in here from every country while we have 3,000,000 unemployed? If you are asking for a von Hitler in this country, we will soon get one.