§ 4. Mr. Wyattasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to provide for the same type of investigation into the activities of the American crews of American ships and aircraft entering this country as are now being undertaken into the activities of the crews of British ships and aircraft entering the United States under the provisions of the McCarran Act.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeAs I informed the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil (Mr. S. O. Davies) on 29th January last, no alteration in the procedure for dealing with foreign members of the crews of ships or aircraft arriving at British ports is at present contemplated.
§ Mr. WyattIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that British seamen are being asked all sorts of extraordinary questions about the internal affairs of this country, such as whether they support the Queen, which political party they voted for at the last Election, and questions of that kind? Cannot we help to bring home to the American public the foolishness of this procedure by thinking up a few questions of our 535 own, such as whether American seamen are loyal to the President and whether they stand up when the National Anthem is played?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeA note was addressed to the State Department on 24th December drawing attention to the harmful effects which certain provisions of the new United States Act would have for British shipping and seamen. I understand that our Ambassador in Washington has now received a reply and that that is under consideration by the Foreign Office. I suggest to the hon. Gentleman that any further Question as to the contents of that reply and the attitude of the Government to it should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
§ Dr. KingRather than indulge in silly retaliation, is not it better to continue to press for the removal of this type of investigation?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThat was why I drew attention to the course which had been taken.