Mr. Stacey

HC Deb 18 May 1965 vol 712 cc1193-4

19. Sir G. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations have been made to the Indian Government over the intended deportation of Mr. Tom Stacey, a British journalist.

Mr. Bottomley

As soon as reports of the arrest of Mr. Stacey were received I asked the British High Commissioner in New Delhi to make a most urgent report. He immediately made inquiries of the Government of India, and the Deputy High Commissioner in Madras arranged for Mr.Stacey to bevisited in Ootacamund by a member of his staff. No representations have been made to the Government of India about Mr. Stacey's deportation.

Sir G. de Freitas

Whether Mr. Stacey be right or wrong, is it not a fact that he was denied access to the British High Commission and is not this most regrettable? Whether representations were made or not, is it not a fact that Mr. Stacey thanked the British High Commission for what it did?

Mr. Bottomley

One has to recognise that there was some apparent deliberate deceit on the part of Mr. Stacey. Since then the Sunday Times and Mr. Stacey have thanked the office and, in the case of Mr. Stacey, the High Commissioner, as my hon. Friend has suggested. I do not think that the Sunday Times or Mr. Stacey has asked us to make any further representations.

Mr. Ennals

May I ask whether Mr. Stacey signed a statement that the Indian version of the dispute was an accurate one and whether there was any indication of intimidation that forced him to sign it?

Mr. Bottomley

I have no reason to expect that there was intimidation, other than what I read in a Sunday newspaper, but the information that I have is that Mr. Stacey signed this document agreeing that perhaps he had not done the right thing in making representations to Sheikh Abdullah.

Mr. Deedes

Whether or no there was a difference of opinion between Mr. Stacey and the officials, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the hon. Member for Kettering (Sir G. de Freitas) must be right in saying that British citizens have rights on these occasions which must be observed?

Mr. Bottomley

Yes, Sir, and the rights were observed. As soon as the High Commission and I knew about it, direct representations through the High Commissioner in Delhi were made.