HC Deb 26 April 1950 vol 474 cc929-31
2. Mr. William Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Winifred Boulter who was banned from spending Easter in Paris because his Department would not allow her to have her passport back; whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government not to allow British subjects to use a passport and leave Great Britain because they have not paid hack all the money lent them as pocket money while they were interned in occupied territory during the war; and whether there is any limit to the period such debts can be claimed.

Mr. Younger

It is not the policy of His Majesty's Government to withhold a passport because of debts in respect of pocket money issued from public funds during the war. Miss Boulter received relief amounting to £553 in France during the war, and, notwithstanding this debt, a passport was issued to her in 1947. In March, 1949, she was repatriated from France at public expense, and on her subsequent application for the return of her passport she was asked to repay the sum of £13 involved. She has now repaid this amount and her passport has been returned to her.

Mr. Teeling

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the anxiety which this has caused to great numbers of people at present living in France, who come over here on holidays and who have not yet been able to repay all that they owed? Can he assure the House that there will not be any effort to take their passports from them when they are returning again to France?

Mr. Younger

I understand that there was a report in the Press that a passport had been refused on account of debts of this kind, which had been incurred during the war. That was quite inaccurate, and I am glad to be able to say that it is not the practice of His Majesty's Government to withhold passports because those sums have not been repaid.

3. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what restrictions in the use of their passports is put on British subjects resident in France who owe money for sums advanced them by the British Government during the occupation of France, either while they were interned, or while they were cut off from their ordinary sources of financial support.

Mr. Younger

None, Sir.

Mr. Teeling

Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that in all parts of the world, including France, no pressure is likely to be brought to bear in future in connection with debts now seven years old? What is the position with regard to pressure being brought to bear upon anybody? Is any pressure being brought to bear?

Mr. Younger

The most I can say is that if public money has been paid out it is reasonable that a request should be made for its repayment, unless there are circumstances of hardship. I do not think that payment has ever been pressed for where any hardship has been involved. I do not think that I could go further than that.

Mr. Teeling

Why do we not sue in the courts as quickly as possible if we are determined to get the medley, and, in that way, get the whole matter settled instead of leaving it to the Foreign Office to make up its mind?

Mr. Younger

Any question of litigation would have to depend upon the circumstances of a particular case.