UNITED STATES (McCARRAN ACT)

HC Deb 11 February 1953 vol 511 cc391-2

9. Mr. Morley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet received any reply to the Note addressed by Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, Washington, to the State Department on 24th December, 1952, on the subject of the screening of British seamen.

Mr. Nutting

No, Sir.

Mr. Morley

Can the Joint Under-Secretary give us his assurance that the Foreign Secretary will continue with his representations on this matter to the United States Administration until this screening is stopped, because in the big ports of this country it is doing considerable harm to the relations between this country and the United States of America?

Mr. Nutting

This is one of the considerations which my right hon. Friend has in mind, and that was the consideration that we put to the United States Government in a Note that we addressed to them on 24th December. I suggest to the hon. Gentleman that the fact that we have not had a reply to that Note does not mean that the present United States Administration intend to do nothing about it.

Mr. Beswick

Has this screening in practice been extended to air crews, and, if so, what happens to the members of the crew of an aircraft if they are discovered to have un-American political views?

Mr. Nutting

In regard to aircrew, I understand that no difficulties have arisen.

Mr. Beswick

Have the authorities found a way of suspending them in the air until the aircraft is ready to return?

12. Mr. Ede

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the questioning of British seamen in the United States ports under the McCarran Act was discussed between Mr. Dulles and himself when the former was in this country recently.

Mr. Nutting

No, Sir.

Mr. Ede

Will the hon. Gentleman take a further opportunity of bringing to the notice of the United States authorities the point that if a seafaring constituent of mine being screened shows some enthusiasm for serving under the Red Duster that is not to be taken as a Communist affiliation?

Mr. Nutting

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that my right hon. Friend will do everything possible to protect his constituent.