§ 7. Earl Wintertonasked The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, before an exit permit to leave this country is granted to well-known writers, any undertaking is required from them that they will not engage in propaganda or make statements inimical to the national war effort; and whether any such undertaking was given my Mr. H. G. Wells before he went to the United States of America?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)I have been asked to reply. Any person who applies for an exit permit to enable him 682 to travel to the United States for the purpose of giving lectures is required, before an exit permit is granted, to give an undertaking that he will return to this country forthwith if required to do so by His Majesty's Ambassador. This requirement has been recently imposed, and the undertaking was not required in the case of Mr. H. G. Wells, who was granted an exit permit before the new requirement came into force.
§ Earl WintertonIs my hon. Friend aware that a well-known United States Senator, who is a great friend of this country, has publicly protested against the statements of Mr. Wells in the United States as being calculated to do harm to the British cause in the United States, and will he have an inquiry made at once of the British Embassy in Washington as to whether or not these charges brought by Senator Vandenberg are justified?
§ Mr. PeakeThe right hon. Gentleman will realise that the general policy is to permit elderly persons and others who can render no useful assistance to the war effort to proceed overseas, and the permit office had a very difficult task to perform. Inquiries in this matter are still proceeding in conjunction with my right hon. Friend at the Foreign Office.
§ Earl WintertonI would like to give notice that on the first Motion for the Adjournment on which I can catch Mr. Speaker's eye, I shall raise this matter and debate it.