§ Q3. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Prime Minister if he will state the nature of his reply to the letter from the Salford, Swinton, Pendlebury and Pendleton Methodist Circuit urging the Government to withdraw the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill.
§ The Prime MinisterThe letter to which the Question refers covered a resolution passed by the Salford Circuit of the Methodist Church. The Secretary of the Circuit was informed, in a reply sent on my behalf, that the terms of the resolution had been noted.
§ Mr. AllaunDoes not the Prime Minister, in his heart, admit the truth of the circuit's charge that this is a colour discrimination Bill, especially since, under Common Market conditions, aliens would be admitted? Should not the Minister have added a postscript saying, "I am sorry I ever went ahead with the wretched thing"?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. As a matter of courtesy I had the letter acknowledged. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is arranging to receive a deputation from 1132 the Methodist Christian Citizenship, and no doubt it will be received in the usual way.
§ Mr. GaitskellSince no further progress is being made with the Bill until the end of January, does not this provide an excellent opportunity for the Government to have second thoughts on the matter? Will the Prime Minister consider arranging for further consultations with the Commonwealth countries especially affected during the Christmas Recess?
§ The Prime MinisterI will take note of what the right hon. Gentleman says, but I do not see how progress can be made between now and the end of January, because the House will not be sitting.
§ Mr. HiltonWill not the Prime Minister admit that he has had letters not only from Methodists in Salford but from Methodists all over the country—especially from Norfolk—condemning this iniquitous Bill? Will not he give sympathetic consideration to the matter and do as he has been asked to do by Methodists in this country, namely, withdraw the Bill?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. As the Bill is being debated at considerable length in the House, I thought it necessary, in answering the Question, only to give the hon. Member the information he has asked for.
§ Sir C. OsborneSince the vast majority of people in this country support the Bill, will my right hon. Friend continue with it and expedite its progress as soon as we return after the Recess?
§ The Prime MinisterAll that I am now discussing is what should be the proper courtesies in answering a letter or receiving a deputation.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that he will be seeing Mr. Kennedy, who is an immigrant Irishman to the United States? How will he explain this to Mr. Kennedy?
§ The Prime MinisterJust as I understand that the hon. Member is an immigrant Welshman to Scotland, and I am immigrant Scotsman to England. It all comes out all right.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Farr.
§ Mr. Hector Hughesrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Does the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) rise to a point of order?
§ Mr. Hector HughesI understood, Mr. Speaker, that you were still allowing supplementary questions on the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill. May I ask a supplementary question on that subject?
§ Mr. SpeakerNo.