HC Deb 05 April 1960 vol 621 cc166-8
28. Mr. Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give an assurance that the same principles with regard to political asylum apply to all Colonies and British protectorates as are applied in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Alport

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. I am sure that any Colonial Governments which may have to consider such cases will be guided by the same humanitarian considerations which guide Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Fletcher

Will the Minister bear in mind the Home Secretary's rather guarded reply yesterday, which was by no means satisfactory? Cannot we have an assurance that if any political refugees from South Africa seek asylum in any Protectorate for which Her Majesty's Government are ultimately responsible, the same high traditions of political asylum will be applied in any British Protectorate as are applied in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Alport

In answering that Question yesterday my right hon. Friend said —I think on more than one occasion— what is absolutely right, which is that in respect of the High Commission Territories this is an extremely difficult and complicated problem. In those circumstances, my noble Friend is at present making necessary inquiries, and I myself have promised, in answer to a Private Notice Question, to make a statement as soon as possible.

Mr. Fletcher

Will the Minister bear in mind that this is really not a complicated question at all, and that principles of political asylum transcend all questions of immigration into British Protectorates?

Mr. Alport

I am aware, as I am sure the House is, of the importance that we attach to the tradition of political asylum that we have operated in this country over a very long period of time. At the same time, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this is an extremely complicated question, in which special considerations arise.

Mr. Callaghan

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that what dissatisfies us is his emphasis on the complications of the matter rather than on a desire to seek a solution? Can I ask him whether the investigation that is going on at present is designed to remove the complications in order to ensure that the right of political asylum in these territories will be the same as it is here and in other parts of the Commonwealth?

Mr. Alport

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that it is our aim to solve, to the best of our ability, some of the problems created by the present circumstances, but I would ask the hon. Gentleman, who, I think, is aware of our general views as a result of previous Answers, not to press further until I have made a statement, which I have promised to make as soon as I can.