§ Miss Wilkinson(By Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason Miss Madeleine Braun was turned back at Croydon and Miss Isobel Blum was only permitted to enter the country on condition of non-appearance at a private board meeting of the International Committee for Co-ordination of Aid for Spain in view of the fact that this committee is solely concerned with medical and food supplies, the care of child refugees and the dissemination of information concerning the necessity of this aid; and whether he will withdraw the ban on Miss Blum's attendance at the board meeting?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd)The hon. Lady will appreciate that we have not had very much notice of this Question. We have been considering it this morning at the Home Office, and my right hon. Friend has authorised me to say that, on the hon. Lady's assurance with regard to this committee meeting and its purpose, he will be prepared to withdraw the ban upon Miss Blum.
§ Miss WilkinsonWhile thanking the Under-Secretary for that reply, may I ask him whether in the case of Professor Victor Basch, on whose passport was written, that though allowed into the country he must leave at 2 o'clock to-day, and as it is impossible to get the Committee's work done by 2 o'clock, he will consider extending it at least until tomorrow morning?
§ Mr. W. RobertsMay I ask whether the Under-Secretary considers that it is in the interest of this country that a Member of the Belgian Parliament supporting the Belgian Government, with the President of the Popular Front Organisation in France, should have any obstacles put in their way in expressing their views as freely in this country as a British Member of Parliament has the right to do in France?
Miss RathboneIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, even when speaking politically, the line of argument of these-speakers is to ask that the non-intervention scheme may be made effective and not to oppose it; and how, therefore, is it a breach of non-intervention for these distinguished men and women to be allowed to speak?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is quite outside the question.
§ Mr. KellyWhy is it that two Members of the Belgian Parliament, one a Member of the Upper House and the other a Member of the Lower House, who had business here which they had to transact yesterday afternoon and last evening, had their passports countersigned that they must leave by noon of yesterday?
§ Lieut.-Commander AgnewWill the Under-Secretary give the assurance that these persons will be accorded treatment not less favourable than would be given to British Members of Parliament visiting Soviet Russia to express their views there?
§ Mr. W. RobertsWill the Under-Secretary give an assurance that these Members of Parliament will be given treatment which will not be worse than the treatment received by British Members of Parliament in France and in Belgium?
§ Mr. SpeakerI do not know what this has to do with Miss Blum.
§ Mr. AttleeCan the Under-Secretary give us any information as to what these new Regulations are that are now being put into force against distinguished visitors from foreign countries of all varieties of political opinion who seem to be excluded in a most arbitrary fashion by officials without this House knowing anything about it, and without any regulations having been made?
§ Mr. LloydIn view of the policy of non-intervention, the general principle adopted by the Home Office is that visits by foreigners for propagandist activities on behalf of either side in Spain should not be permitted.
§ Mr. AttleeWhat evidence has the hon. Gentleman that there was any intention whatever of any propaganda; and is it not the fact that these representatives are members of governments which are supporting non-intervention; and how can that possibly apply?
§ Mr. LloydOur information was that these people intended to address propagandist meetings last night.
§ Mr. AttleeWill the Under-Secretary see that he gets better information?