HC Deb 08 April 1986 vol 95 cc28-9
Mr. Max Madden (Bradford, West)

I wish to raise a point of order of which I have given you notice, Mr. Speaker. It concerns the rights of hon. Members in connection with immigration matters, and I think that it is a matter directly for you.

Last Friday morning at 10 minutes past nine o'clock a visitor to this country was refused entry. A message was left with a relative of the sponsor, who is a constituent of mine. I was asked for my help at 10 o'clock. I immediately phoned the Home Office which made inquiries and rang back a few minutes later to tell me that it was impossible to accede to my request to stop the visitor's removal or for me to make representations on his behalf as he was already on a flight taking him to Pakistan. You will remember, Mr. Speaker, that immediately before the Easter recess we received assurances from the Home Secretary that every effort would be made to ensure that the guidelines concerning the rights of Members of Parliament in immigration matters would be exercised reasonably and flexibly to allow us an opportunity to exercise those rights. If the immigration authorities act as they did last Friday—which an official at the Home Office has described as "undue haste"—the immigration authorities will not be limiting the rights of hon. Members but removing them altogether.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask you to inquire urgently into the circumstances of this case and ask the immigration authorities and the Home Office to ensure that the period of time between refusing a visitor entry into this country and the removal of the visitor from this country is sufficient for our constituents to ask for our help and sufficient to enable us to give the help they are entitled to receive, but on this occasion were denied.

Mr. Speaker

I have allowed the hon. Gentleman to make his point, but it is not a matter for me. The operation of the immigration regulations is not a matter for the Chair.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The regulations are not a matter for the Chair.

Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. You will have noticed that during Question Time several matters were covered but, unfortunately, not the one to which I shall refer. During the recess there was mention of the alleged conspiracy of Gerry Gable, the editor of Searchlight, in which a Tory Member of Parliament was involved. Many of us had thought, quite properly, that during Question Time someone would have got round to raising that matter. In fact, my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Dubs) was only too anxious to catch your eye—

Mr. Speaker

Order. No hon. Member got round to that.

Mr. Skinner

I have an answer for it.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman probably has, but I cannot see that in any conceivable way it is a matter for me.

Mr. Skinner

I raise the point of order with you, Mr. Speaker, because it borders on the question of privilege of Members of Parliament. If there is the faintest possibility that the Prime Minister could be induced to answer questions on this matter later, we might get round to that question.

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman should try his luck on Thursday.

Mr. Madden

Further to my point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker

I have nothing to add to what I have already told the hon. Gentleman. I allowed the hon. Gentleman to make his point, but it clearly was not a matter for me.

Mr. Madden

May I ask you to reflect, Mr. Speaker, on the fact that it is pointless and futile for us to have guidelines, which were debated in the House before Easter, giving hon. Members clear rights in immigration matters if those rights are to be obliterated by the immigration authorities? I believe that it is directly your responsibility.

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is certainly not my responsibility. It is the responsibility of the Government Department concerned. The hon. Gentleman must raise the matter with that Department.