§ 25. Mr. Nigel Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the few questions asked of United Kingdom visitors to European countries, he will instruct that travellers from foreign countries should no longer be interrogated as to their destination in the United Kingdom, financial arrangements and funds available for return journey.
§ Mr. EdeThe existing system of control at United Kingdom ports, which has the advantage of letting the foreigner know at once on what conditions and for what time he may land, is, I believe, the best for a country with sea frontiers. It is not always necessary to ask all the questions to which the hon. Member refers.
§ Mr. DaviesIn view of all that is said about the tourist trade, and also as a matter of common courtesy, would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to consider some diminution of this interrogation, to which British visitors to many foreign countries are not subjected at all?
§ Mr. EdeIn many foreign countries which have a land frontier the problems presented to the Governments of those countries are, of course, different from ours. They have a great deal more police supervision of the visitor after he has arrived than we do. I also have—and the House, on occasion, has quite rightly been very anxious that I should 1333 realise my responsibility—a great deal of anxiety as regards security matters in these days.
§ Mr. DaviesDoes the Home Secretary suggest that, tiresome as this may be to tourists, it is really helpful in the matter of security?