HC Deb 16 December 1963 vol 686 cc849-50
Sir J. Eden (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision he has made concerning the application of Mr. Denes Gyevi to remain in this country with his six year old daughter.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Henry Brooke)

Mr. Gyevi arrived here with no visa, no valid travel document, and no Ministry of Labour permit. I am having inquiries made into his national status, and I cannot take a final decision until they are completed.

Sir J. Eden

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the position of the European stateless is worthy of special consideration? Whilst recognising that there must be some limit on the number of immigrants into the country and that travel documents must be in correct order, may I ask whether there is not in this instance a clear understanding that this man will not become a liability on the Exchequer and that there is also the consideration that his child was born in this country and, as I understand, the Hungarian authorities are prepared to allow his wife to join him the moment he becomes settled here? Since he has shown a clear preference for this country, could not special sympathy be shown towards his application?

Mr. Brooke

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I have said that I cannot take a final decision until I have further notice. I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that we cannot accept in this country every stateless person who arrives here with no documents. I am having further inquiries made.

Sir J. Eden

Ts there not one difficulty which I hope my right hon. Friend will bear in mind? It is that this man may well be finding himself knocked around between one country and another, be- tween Hungary, Yugoslavia and this country simply because of his stateless position. Does my right hon. Friend not appreciate that this man was born in a sort of twilight zone between two countries which have changed hands on a number of occasions and that this makes it extremely difficult for him to prove his national identity? Can my right hon. Friend say how many cases like this have come before him?

Mr. Brooke

I certainly cannot answer that last question without notice. My present information is that he was born and brought up in Yugoslavia, but I want further information before I can reach a decision.