HC Deb 11 July 1960 vol 626 cc954-5
2. Mr. Brockway

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will give a general direction to the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the British European Airways that no employee who has been declared persona non grata by another government be dismissed solely on that ground without proof that he has committed a criminal offence in the territory of the government concerned.

The Minister of Aviation (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan) on 4th July.

Mr. Brockway

Is the Minister aware that recently seventy stewards employed; by B.O.A.C. have been declared persona non grata by the Indian Government, that in the case of twenty-eight of them B.O.A.C. is not satisfied that there is any evidence that they have been guilty of of any crime but has given them one month's notice? Would it not be possible to place those twenty-eight men on some alternative route so that they do not have to serve India?

Mr. Sandys

With regard to fifty-one of these employees, the Indian Government produced evidence of smuggling. They were dismissed and did not appeal against their dismissal. With regard to the others, I naturally have sympathy with anyone who may have been unjustly treated as a result of faults committed by others, although I am not expressing any view whether or not these people were implicated. All I would say is that, in order to operate efficiently, an airline must be able to switch its crews freely from one route to another, and, as the hon. Member knows, India lies along one of the main world routes of B.O.A.C.

Mr. Strauss

While one appreciates the difficulties of the Ministry and the difficulties of B.O.A.C. in this matter, I wonder whether the Minister could tell us whether representations or protests were made by these men to B.O.A.C. and if they feel that they are suffering serious injustice?

Mr. Sandys

Discussions did take place between B.O.A.C. and the British High Commissioner and the Indian Government. Following on those discussions, the ban, if I may use that word, on five of them was lifted.

Mr. Brockway

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall try to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.