§ 24. Sir L. Plummerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has given his approval to the action of the Governments of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika refusing entry visas for Mr. Basil Davidson.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. and learned Member for West Ham, South (Mr. Elwyn Jones) on 23rd January.
§ Sir L. PlummerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Davidson, a man who gave very good service to this country during the war and who exposed the full horror of the Soviet aggression in Hungary, is being treated very badly indeed? Does he not see that the action of the Trustee and Colonial Governments in refusing him admission is usurping the functions of the Colonial Office? Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCertainly my functions have not been usurped. This is a matter for the discretion of the East African Governments and I have told them that I see no reason to interfere in their decisions. Like many of my predecessors on the other side of the House, I am not prepared to give any reasons why I have come to my conclusions.
§ Mr. CallaghanIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very widespread suspicion that it is because Mr. Basil Davidson is a well-known Socialist that he is being excluded from these territories and that as long as the Colonial Secretary maintains his attitude, he is smearing this man by the assumption that he is a Communist, although he has refused to avow it? Will he take it from those of us who know him well that Mr. Davidson is not a Communist, has not been a Communist, and has no sympathies with that party?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWhile refusing to be drawn into a discussion of the reasons for my decision, I can certainly say that it is not because of any association with the party opposite.
§ Sir L. PlummerOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I will try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.