HC Deb 11 February 1943 vol 386 cc1446-7
59. Miss Rathbone

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the widespread anxiety to offer every possible means of escape to Jewish and other victims of Nazi persecution, he has reconsidered the restrictions which have hitherto impeded the admission of such persons to this country; and whether he will state the conditions under which admission will now be permitted?

Mr. H. Morrison

I am not in a position to add anything to the statements already made on this subject on behalf of His Majesty's Government.

Miss Rathbone

Will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a further statement if I put down a Question, say, next week; and is he aware that in the meantime there is great anxiety on the subject and that we are all besieged by letters from agonised refugees and their friends and sympathisers, who wish to know whether it is not possible to do something?

Mr. Morrison

I am not in a position to say what I might be able to say next week. As my hon. Friend will recall, the position of the Government was clearly stated. This is a United Nations problem, and I am not in a position to say anything, because I cannot control the actions of other Governments.

Commander Looker-Lampson

If we put down a Question next week, will the right hon. Gentleman answer it?

Mr. Morrison

I certainly cannot stop my hon. Friends from putting a Question down next week.

Miss Rathbone

My Question applies to this country, and should we not set the example ourselves before we can expect other countries to do so?