§ 4. Dr. David Kerrasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests have been received from the citizens of North Vietnam for visas to enter the United Kingdom during 1967; and what answers have been given.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Ennals)Four. Three were refused, and one was granted. Apart from these applications, there has been a considerable number of inquiries from people in this country about the grant of visas to Vietnamese.
§ Dr. KerrI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he give an assurance that future inquiries or requests for visas will be dealt with on the basis that everybody is welcome to this country unless it can be shown clearly that he or she represents a danger to us?
§ Mr. EnnalsI can give an assurance that applications for visas by Vietnamese will be considered on their merits in the light of the relevant circumstances. There will certainly not be a policy of automatic refusal.
§ Mr. RankinOn a point of order. May we have your guidance, Mr. Speaker? In what respect is North Vietnam regarded as a separate country?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a point of order for me.