§ Colonel WEDGWOOD(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary why Senor Gorkin was prevented from visiting England?
§ Mr. MAXTON(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether he can state the reason for the detention of Mr. Julian Gorkin at Croydon Aerodrome; the search of his baggage and person; and the subsequent order to leave this country by the next aeroplane for Paris?
§ Mr. LLOYDA foreigner may not enter this country without leave of an immigration officer, and before granting leave to land it is the duty of the immigration officer to ascertain the purposes of his visit. When Mr. Gorkin arrived at Croydon on the 24th instant, it appeared to the immigration officer, as a result of his examination, that Mr. Gorkin was coming to this country to elicit support in connection with the Spanish situation. Mr. Gorkin was not searched as to his person, but on request he produced his baggage for inspection. In accordance with the decision of His Majesty's Government to refrain from intervention in the Spanish struggle, immigration 30 officers have been instructed to keep a watch on the arrival of foreigners whose purpose in coming here is to further the interests of either side and, if satisfied that such is the purpose of their visit, to refuse facilities. Mr. Gorkin was accordingly refused permission to land and required to leave by the first available aeroplane returning to Paris.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that the Government allow people to come in who give the Catholic point of view in Irish accents, but will not allow any voice to be raised in this country by Spaniards who are fighting for their country?
§ Mr. LLOYDThis policy has been interpreted with complete impartiality, and representatives of both sides have been refused permission to enter.
§ Mr. MAXTONI do not feel quite satisfied. Is the hon. Member aware that this gentleman's private letters were taken out of his pocket—closed letters—and were opened, and that he was subjected to detention as if he were a criminal? I want to ask the Home Secretary whether he is further aware that this rule has not been applied all round. It is public knowledge that two representatives of the Spanish Government attended at the Labour Conference at Edinburgh; and is he aware that there is an active Spanish nest of insurgent propagandists in London now? Is the hon. Gentleman sincere when he tells me that this rule has been applied all round, and that no special discrimination was made against this gentleman?
§ Mr. LLOYDYes, Sir. I am quite sincere in that statement. In regard to the statement that representatives of the insurgent forces are in London, if the hon. Member has any names in mind I am very ready to make inquiries, but it must be remembered that immigration officers are only human and may not always be able to identify visitors. if the hon. Member has any information about specific foreigners in this country the Home Office are very ready to make inquiries. With regard to the two aliens who were allowed to attend the Labour 31 Party Conference, it was represented to the Home Office that they were attending for the purpose of giving information to the Labour Party Conference, and it may be that the decision in that case was a generous one.
§ Mr. MAXTONMay I press the hon. Member—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is becoming a debate in the form of question and answer.