HC Deb 24 January 1940 vol 356 cc575-7
46. Mr. H. Morrison

asked the Prime Minister what steps were taken by, or on behalf of His Majesty's Government to facilitate the return of Miss Unity Mitford to this country; and on whose authority was both military and police protection provided for her at the port of arrival?

The Prime Minister

The answer to the first part of the Question is that no such steps were taken on behalf of His Majesty's Government. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answers given to similar Questions yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.

Mr. Morrison

Are we to understand from the answer that the Government took no steps whatever to facilitate the return of this young lady to this country after she had been assisting an enemy Government?

The Prime Minister

No steps were taken by the Government in connection with this case other than those which are taken in ordinary circumstances for other British subjects.

Mr. Morrison

Will the Prime Minister inform us whether that means that the Government did make efforts to facilitate the return of a British subject who had been openly assisting the cause of an enemy Government?

The Prime Minister

The only action taken by the Foreign Office on Miss Mitford's behalf was the inclusion of her name in a list of British subjects in Germany for whom the United States Embassy were requested to do whatever might be possible, and the sending of a telegraphic inquiry about her health through the agency of the United States Embassy. Such inquiries have been made in respect of British subjects on several occasions when they have appeared to be justified by the urgency of the case.

Mr. Morrison

As it is now apparent that His Majesty's Government did take steps, may I ask the Prime Minister why he did not tell me so in the first instance? May I also ask him why the Government should take steps to facilitate the return of a British subject who would be much better occupied in continuing the activities she was engaged on in assisting an enemy Government? Finally, will the right hon. Gentleman tell me what would have been done if this had been a working-class person?

Mrs. Tate

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is prepared to support the expulsion from this country of Communists because they are helping an enemy Government?