MRS. SAROJ KHULLAR

HC Deb 06 June 1978 vol 951 cc41-3

Mr. Thorne

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the deportation of Mrs. Saroj Khullar. She has a British-born child Julie, aged two years, who cannot be deported. The Home Secretary's decision to deport Mrs. Khullar after several representations gives the mother the choice between leaving her child in the United Kingdom or taking her with her to India at the State's expense.

Mrs. Khullar came to the United Kingdom on 12th February 1975 as fiancée to Sorrinder Khullar, who arrived here on 25th April 1973. On 24th February 1975 they were married and on 17th May 1976 a daughter was born to the couple in Preston. Later investigations were conducted into the status of Mr Khullar. Subsequently the Preston Community Relations Council wrote to the Home Office indicating that he was an illegal immigrant. A decision was then taken to remove him in October 1976, and this was carried out.

Mrs. Khullar had no knowledge that her husband was an illegal immigrant. She entered the United Kingdom to be married in good faith. She has maintained herself and her child by running a business as a trader in knitwear. She lives in a house which is fully paid for and she makes no charge on State funds.

Mrs. Khullar cannot return to her husband even if she wished to because he cannot be traced. He is believed to be in Turkey. Mrs. Khullar has put a divorce petition into Preston Crown. Court. It is important and urgent that she be allowed to stay here. If she returned to India she would face considerable hardship. In my view she is an innocent victim of this sorry affair. I think that the Home Secretary's decision to deport her is bureaucratic, un-Christian and inhuman. His decision should be the subject of scrutiny by the House.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member for Preston South (Mr. Thorne) gave me notice before 12 o'clock today that he would seek to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he believes should have urgent consideration, namely; the deportation of Mrs. Saroj Khullar. As the House knows, under Standing Order No. 9 I am directed to take into account the several factors set out in the Order but to give no reasons for my decision.

I listened with great care to the hon. Member but I am afraid that I cannot rule that his submission falls within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.