HC Deb 12 December 1968 vol 775 c573
54. Dr. Gray

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has prohibited Mr. Ronald Hubbard, his wife and daughter from entering this country as visitors.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Consistently with the statement made by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of Health on 25th July, I decided that Mr. L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, should not be admitted to the United Kingdom. If other members of his family wish to visit this country, they should apply to the appropriate British representative overseas, and any application would be considered in the light of all the relevant information.

Dr. Gray

If Mr. Ronald Hubbard has no criminal record, why should he be excluded for his religious and philosophical views? How many other individual scientologists is my hon. Friend excluding in this way? Does he agree that his action is a blow to the traditional view of civil liberties in this country?

Mr. Rees

No, Sir, and I advise my hon. Friend to read what my right hon. Friend the former Minister of Health said on 25th July.

Mr. Hordern

Does not the Minister agree that it would be better for the Government to institute a public inquiry into Scientology and everything appertaining to it?

Mr. Rees

That is a matter not for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary but for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.