HC Deb 24 November 1938 vol 341 cc1932-3
44. Miss Rathbone

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that two young Frenchmen with their passports in order, on arriving last Saturday at Newhaven for the sole purpose of attending as delegates a meeting in aid of the Youths' Foodship for Spain and returning next day to Paris, were questioned as to their political opinions, and on admitting they were Communists were prevented from landing; whether the passport officers had authority to exercise this kind of discrimination; and under what regulation?

Mr. Lloyd

The two persons referred to, each of whom denied any knowledge of the other, did not disclose to the immigration officer that they were coming to this country to attend a meeting. On the contrary, they stated that they were coming to visit friends for a week-end, but they could produce no evidence on the point, and the immigration officer was not satisfied that they could properly be given leave to land. As regards the last part of the question, the papers which they produced showed that they held Communistic views, which they readily proclaimed, and that the object of their visit might be to engage in propaganda connected with the Spanish struggle. As has been stated on previous occasions, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government not to grant facilities to foreigners to enter this country for the purpose of furthering the interests or engaging in propaganda on behalf of either side in the Spanish struggle.

Miss Rathbone

When the immigration officer questioned these two young men, did be question them on the fact that they were coming to speak for a relief organisation, or that the week-end was to be spent in being entertained by the Cambridge Union?

Mr. Lloyd

I was not aware of those facts, but I think it is time that someone said a word of commendation of the very difficult work done by the immigration officers. Every day they have to decide extremely difficult points, and I am really not prepared to make any apology for their action, particularly in cases where applicants have made patently untrue statements.

Mr. Thorne

Can the hon. Gentleman give any guarantee that, when any Members of the Government go abroad, they do not commit themselves to any Fascist ideas?

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Will my hon. Friend convey the congratulations of the Government to the immigration officers?