HC Deb 21 July 1938 vol 338 cc2400-1
19. Mr. Riley

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give instructions that any refugee arriving at a British port who can prove that he is escaping from religious or political persecution shall be admitted to this country?

Sir S. Hoare

I am anxious, as I have stated on several occasions in the House, that our traditional hospitality should be extended so far as is compatible with our social and economic conditions to persons who are obliged to leave their own country on political, racial or religious grounds, but I have made it clear that there can be no indiscriminate admission, and individuals who wish to come here must be carefully selected. To enable this policy to be properly carried out, a visa requirement has been imposed on all Austrians and Germans, so that applicants can be examined before they start on their journey and the risk of rejection at our ports is minimised. It is necessary, however, to insist that persons who wish to enter this country shall enter in a proper manner, as otherwise the control which has been set up would be defeated. This policy has the support of the refugee organisations, with whom the Home Office is closely collaborating.

Mr. Riley

While appreciating the generous terms of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, may I ask whether he will be very careful to see that the right of asylum is not impaired?

Sir S. Hoare

My answer shows that that is very much in my mind. I assure the hon. Member that I am in the closest touch with the refugee organisations, and we try to deal sympathetically with individual cases as they come.

Mr. Thorne

Does not this show that, bad as this country is, it is the best country in the world?