BRITISH SUBJECT, U.S.A. (SENTENCE)

HC Deb 11 February 1948 vol 447 cc369-70

36. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the case of Miss Margaret Goosey, a British subject, who has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment in the State of Virginia, U.S.A., because her American fiancé, Mr. Thomas Johnson, whom she went to the U.S. to marry, is a Negro; and what action he has taken to safeguard the interests of this British citizen.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ernest Bevin)

Yes, Sir. I have ascertained that the action taken in this case was in accordance with Virginia State Law, and that Miss Goosey was warned by the State Authorities beforehand. I therefore see no ground for action other than the inquiries we have already made. At her own request Miss Goosey is being repatriated to the United Kingdom by the United States Authorities.

Mr. Driberg

However undesirable a particular marriage may seem to be to many people, or to local legislators, would my right hon. Friend not agree that it is an elementary human right that men and women should be allowed to get married, irrespective of race or creed, and will he, therefore, consider referring this very difficult subject for discussion by the Working Group on the Convention on Human Rights?

Mr. Bevin

I have had this very difficult question to deal with in connection with the Soviet wives, and in that case I had to admit that if a State carries a law and any one defies that law, I could not intervene. In the case of the Soviet wives there was no law when they married and, therefore, though the law was carried later, I urged that they should be allowed to return because the law was not then in operation. Anyone who has consulted me since, I have advised that if they go against the law, then I cannot intervene.

Mr. Driberg

May I press my right hon. Friend in connection with the latter part of my supplementary? Is not the whole subject—both the Soviet wives and such cases as this—one which could properly be considered in connection with the Charter of Human Rights?

Mr. Bevin

I doubt very much whether it is proper for me to refer this case to that Commission, particularly as the lady was warned.