HC Deb 26 July 1951 vol 491 c635
39. Mr. Eric Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what authority and in what circumstances directions are given by his Department to prevent British subjects from leaving the country.

Mr. Ede

No such directions have been given since the lapse of the wartime Defence Regulation 18.

Mr. Fletcher

Would the Home Secretary confirm that the mere failure to hold a British passport will not in itself prevent a British subject from leaving this country?

Mr. Ede

Failure to own or present a passport, if the person is a British subject, does not prevent him leaving the country.