HC Deb 31 March 1949 vol 463 cc1425-6
16. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases in the last 12 months have requests from foreign Governments for information about British subjects trying to obtain visas been received by Scotland Yard; and in how many such cases has the information been given.

Mr. Ede

The Metropolitan Police receive from time to time inquiries from foreign police forces on the question whether applicants for visas have criminal records in this country, and normally this information would be given. I regret that details are not available of the number of such requests received in the past twelve months.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Can my right hon. Friend confirm or deny, in connection with the recent refusal by the United States to give a visa to four British subjects to attend a conference in New York, if information was supplied by Scotland Yard to the State Department?

Mr. Ede

It is not the practice, in any case, to supply information about the political opinions of persons to foreign police forces, and, if there were no criminal convictions, no information would be given, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a Question about these four specific cases, I will see that an answer is provided for him.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is the Minister aware that Members of Parliament may wish to obtain visas for the United States, and could he say if their fingerprints are taken and if those fingerprints are handed over to Scotland Yard?

Mr. Ede

There are some Members of Parliament whose fingerprints we already have.

Mr. Gallacher

May I ask the Home Secretary whether he is sure that, if a Question is put down about the four cases referred to, it will be accepted and answered?

Mr. Ede

It is not for me to say what Questions will be accepted, but, if a Question is accepted, it will be answered.