§ 39. Mr. Hastingsasked the Attorney-General what organisations sponsored the arrangements for the German students to take part in the Grosvenor Square demonstration on Sunday 17th March.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have received no evidence that any organisation in this country sponsored the arrangements for the German students to take part in the Grosvenor Square demonstration. It appears that they were invited by the Vietnam Solidarity Committee, organisers of the demonstration.
§ Mr. HastingsWould the Attorney-General care to tell the House whether the Vietnam Solidarity Committee paid, or had something to do with payment, for these students' travel and other arrangements? Surely there must have been some organisation on the other side of the Channel? Is not the truth that the real 792 source lies in East Germany rather than West Germany? When shall we hear the true story?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have no evidence or information that the students were paid to come or that their fares were paid. I have no information as to any organisation that sponsored them in that sense. If the hon. Gentleman has any information, I should be very glad to have it examined.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan my right hon. and learned Friend say whether these German students were residents of this country for any length of time? Did they remain here, and if so, why?
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo, Sir. They came expressly for the purposes of the demonstration and went away immediately afterwards. The names of some were taken and, as my hon. Friend the former Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department has said, in future steps will be taken to see that individuals are not allowed into this country for demonstrations if it is thought that they will abuse that facility to foment disorder and cause injury and damage.
§ Sir P. RawlinsonWere not inquiries made of the immigration officers as to the purposes of the visit, and was it not obvious that the introduction of this posse of Germans from abroad might lead to breaches of the law?
§ The Attorney-GeneralOf course inquiries were made, but the conclusion to which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has referred was not obvious. Students who come here for peaceful purposes, to take part in peaceful demonstrations, should not be prevented, but if there is evidence that they come to cause mischief of the kind that I have indicated they ought to be kept out and will be.
§ Mr. WhitakerIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the South Vietnamese Embassy in London spent money unsucessfully trying to organise a demonstration in Trafalgar Square? Does he think that diplomats accredited here, of any persuasion, should spend money in that way?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI did not know, but it does not arise from the Question.