§ 69. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Home Secretary whether in view of the fact that quota numbers for America are never allotted till a month or so before the man may sail for America, he will reconsider the rule disqualifying from entry into this country until quota numbers have been allotted to them of male Jews, 17 to 60 years of age, who have affidavits for America?
§ Sir S. HoareMy Department has been in consultation with the United States authorities on this subject, and the practice is to admit to this country refugees for whom maintenance while here is guaranteed, if there is a reasonable prospect of their admission to the United States of America within a year or two, but it would be impracticable to admit indiscriminately to the United Kingdom all persons who have registered applications for admission to the United States regardless of the period which must elapse before their applications can be considered by the United States authorities.
§ Colonel WedgwoodI could not hear the right hon. Gentleman's answer very well, but am I right in thinking that these 2177 people will not be allowed in this country till they get their quota numbers, or within a year of doing so?
§ Sir S. HoareNo. The right hon. and gallant Gentleman will see that I have drawn a distinction between those who are likely to be in the quota within a fairly reasonable time in the future and those who are not.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIrrespective of whether a guarantee for their maintenance is given?
§ Sir S. HoareIf the right hon. and gallant Gentleman wishes to raise another point, I think he had better put it down.
§ 70. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Home Secretary why a British visa has been refused to a Jewish doctor, although he has an affidavit for America, who has been offered hospitality while in England by a Member of this House, has also guaranteed that he shall not practice while in England, and has a credit balance of £1,000 at the Midland Bank placed there by his aunt, a British citizen; and, as he is in danger of immediate arrest, will he have the visa authorised at once?
§ Sir S. HoareI have been in communication about this case with the right hon. and gallant Member, and I am proposing to consider it further in the light of the general considerations mentioned in my reply to his previous question.
74. Mr. Edmund Harveyasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the large number of persons who wish to assist refugees from Central Europe and the ignorance in many quarters of the conditions under which permission is granted to refugees to enter Great Britain, he will issue a White Paper setting out clearly the conditions under which a visa is granted and the steps which should be taken by those who desire to offer hospitality to such refugees?
§ Sir S. HoareI have already stated the general principles which are followed in dealing with these cases, and I believe these principles are well understood by the voluntary bodies who are represented on the Co-ordinating Committee. It is very desirable that so far as possible individuals wishing to help refugees should do so through one of these voluntary bodies, but I will consider whether any 2178 further statement can be published which would be helpful for the purpose to which the hon. Member refers.