Political Refugees

HC Deb 09 July 1963 vol 680 cc1024-6

4. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to ensure that Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson and Mr. Michael Harmel, political refugees from South Africa now resident in Bechuanaland, are not returned to South Africa or deported from the High Commission territories.

Mr. Fisher

Mr. Harmel has recently come to Britain. Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson have temporary permits to reside in Bechuanaland which expire on 31st July. If they do not wish to return to South Africa it is assumed that they likewise will move to Britain or some other country.

Mrs. Castle

Is the Minister aware that Mr. Harmel wishes to return to Bechuanaland, that Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson wish to stay there and to open a chicken farm, but that they have been presented with a sweeping declaration of renunciation of elementary political rights which, they have been told, they must sign in order to stay? Is not this an intolerable imposition on political refugees from South Africa who certainly do not want to engage in Bechuanaland politics, gun-running or any incitement to violence against the South African Government but who merely wish to enjoy the same political rights in Bechuanaland as are enjoyed by the residents there?

Mr. Fisher

I dare say that they would like to go back, but we must consider the interests of the people of Bechuanaland, because they are vulnerable to economic pressures from the Republic of South Africa. The harbouring of political refugees who might abuse the hospitality of the territories—plot against the Republic—might well provoke severe economic sanctions. The inhabitants of these territories are aware of this and are anxious to avoid this risk.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

Can the Undersecretary say to what extent the African members of the Executive Council have been consulted and to what extent they agreed to the steps taken in this case?

Mr. Fisher

They have. The Resident Commissioner acted on the advice of his Executive Council which, in Bechuanaland, includes four unofficials, of whom two are Africans. To that extent they have been consulted and have expressed this very definite view; they do not want these people there.

5. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why political refugees from South Africa, including British citizens, are forbidden to take an active part in politics, including speaking, writing or activity in a political association, as a condition of being issued with permits to stay in the High Commission Territories.

Mr. Fisher

I invite the hon. Member's attention to the explanation given to the House by the then Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations on 28th July. 1960.

Mrs. Castle

But is the Under-Secretary aware that we protested then against the imposition of these restrictions on political refugees from South Africa and that we are still protesting against them? Is he not aware that what he has just said in reply to the previous Question amounts to saying that this country has decided to deny political asylum to refugees from South Africa whose only crime is that they have criticised the policies of that Government in the same terms as our own Prime Minister has? [Hon. Members:"Speech."] Is he not aware that the Bechuanaland People's Party has sent official protests to the Resident Commissioner against the imposition of these restrictions, which prevent the refugees from explaining what is going on in this territory?

Mr. Speaker

I have no reason to suppose that any hon. Member is entitled to forget the essential need for us to keep supplementary questions short.

Mrs. Castle

I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that what I said was responsible.

Mr. Fisher

We have, of course, never refused admission to political refugees, as the hon. Lady knows. What we are trying to do is to safeguard the people of these territories against the residence there of the type of political refugee who would stir up trouble for the residents in the Republic of South Africa; and that is a very different thing.

Mrs. Castle

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is no evidence to show that these people have stirred up or desire to stir up any kind of political trouble, that they merely want the same political rights as residents in Bechuanaland and that they are backed in this by the Bechuanaland People's Party?

Mr. Fisher

I am sorry to tell the hon. Lady that there is certain evidence to show that the wishes of these people are to take part in political activities in Bechuanaland against South Africa. As the hon. Lady well knows, these people have Communist affiliations.