HC Deb 07 April 1949 vol 463 cc2182-3
3. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Scotland Yard supplied information to the United States Government about four British subjects whose recent application for visas to attend a conference in New York was refused.

Mr. Ede

No information was sought and none was supplied.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his answer will dispel the unfortunate impression that was created by the statement of an American official of the State Department that information had been supplied?

Mr. Ede

I want to make it quite clear that the answer I gave last week is absolutely correct, that no information as to people's political opinions or antecedents is ever given in this connection.

Mr. Gallacher

In view of the publicity given to this statement by this American official, will the Home Secretary make it clear that it was impudent presumption on his part to make such a suggestion?