HC Deb 23 April 1969 vol 782 cc472-3
Mr. David Steel

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the High Commissioner in Nairobi refused admission vouchers to the United Kingdom to the two British citizens who were imprisoned yesterday in Kisumu for overstaying their permitted term of residence in Kenya.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Maurice Foley)

The British High Commissioner has not refused admission vouchers to these two United Kingdom citizens; their applications for vouchers are being processed in the usual way. The two persons concerned gave no indication to the High Commission that they were under pressure to leave Kenya immediately. The High Commissioner is continuing to make urgent inquiries into the circumstances surrounding their case.

Mr. Steel

I am grateful for that reply. Can the Minister say whether the High Commission is in touch with the two people in prison and has access to them at the moment?

Mr. Foley

It is in touch, and I believe that it does have access.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

In view of the fact that these two men have been given ten days' detention and have been told that on the termination of that period they will be deported, is not the urgency self-evident? Is there any need for further inquiry?

Mr. Foley

From the information available to us at the moment, I am not convinced that the two men in question went through the processes and, indeed, asked for an extension of their permits or indicated to the High Commission that they were about to leave. I can say that if people from Kenya are compelled to leave and everything else has been exhausted they will be given their vouchers.

Mr. Braine

I am sure that the House will be relieved to hear the Minister's answer. Is he satisfied that the processing in Nairobi of applications from United Kingdom citizens to come to this country is proceeding satisfactorily and in a humane way?

Mr. Foley

I believe that it is, but this demands the co-operation of the people at the other end. If they indicate that there is a time limit in terms of their permits and they are then advised to renew them and they do not, clearly this poses an obstacle and a difficulty. If they indicate that there is a degree of urgency either about their financial situation or about the length of stay they are permitted in Kenya, that is taken into consideration by the High Commission. I am satisfied that these criteria are applied strictly and humanely.

Mr. Whitaker

Since we have compensated white Kenyans for the loss of their farms, does not my hon. Friend consider that we have a moral obligation to compensate British Asian citizens in Kenya who have lost their property and have also had their passports devalued?

Mr. Foley

That is an entirely different question.

Captain W. Elliott

Is not it an appalling way for a Government to behave, to deprive people of their livelihood and then send them to prison? What protests are the Government making about this behaviour?

Mr. Foley

I do not want to reiterate the whole history in relation to Kenya Asians. I would point out that the gentleman who sentenced these two men to ten days in prison—the magistrate—was named Patel. Many Asians have opted for Kenyan citizenship. It is their home and it is where they have made their livelihood. They cannot both have their cake and eat it.