§ 9. Mr. D. Footasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether any representations have been, or will be, made by the United Kingdom High Commissioner to the Government of the Central African Federation regarding the deportation of Mr. Francis Ivor Williams, a United Kingdom citizen; and whether the Federal Government has indicated the reasons for such deportation.
§ Mr. SandysNo, Sir.
§ Mr. FootDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this gentleman is merely the latest addition to a long and distinguished list of prohibited immigrants in Central Africa? Is it not abundantly clear that the immigration laws are now being used as an instrument of persecution against United Kingdom citizens of whose views or activities the Federal Government happens to disapprove?
§ Mr. SandysI believe that I am right in saying that in the last several years, apart from this case, there has been only one case of a United Kingdom citizen—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—let me finish my sentence—who is domiciled in the Federation being deported.
§ Mr. CallaghanWith blue eyes. Is not the Minister aware that if he did not make all those limitations the number would be far bigger? May I now have an answer to the question which I asked earlier when I said that there was great repugnance about some of these actions? When he is seeing the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia about these constitutional talks, will he inform him of the state of opinion in this country about these matters and ask him to desist from these actions, both by himself and by the Federal Prime Minister—to whom he can make representations—so that we can get on better terms with them?
§ Mr. SandysAny talks which I have with the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia will obviously be free, will be full and frank, and will also be confidential.