HC Deb 23 February 1953 vol 511 c1717
30. Mr. Beswick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made about the political interrogation of British aircrew landing in the United States of America; and if he is satisfied that no difficulties will arise in the event of any crew member being found to hold un-American political opinion.

Mr. Nutting

No representations have been made about aircrews who, I understand, have encountered no difficulties with the United States immigration authorities. It is already the established practice of the British Overseas Airways Corporation to ensure that their crews going to the United States are provided with passports and United States visas.

Mr. Beswick

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that a British captain of an airline landing in the United States is liable to be asked to assure the immigration authorities that he is in full possession of his mental faculties, and that an air hostess is also liable, under the McCarran Act, to assure the interrogating officer on rather offensive questions about her moral conduct? Are we making any representations about these possibilities?

Mr. Nutting

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman that these hypotheses are likely to arise. As I have already indicated, the provisions of the McCarran Act which are offensive to the hon. Gentleman do not apply in the case of aircrews, because they are provided with passports and with visas before they leave this country.