HC Deb 24 April 1986 vol 96 cc416-7
17. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the admission to the United Kingdom of elected representatives from other countries who belong to Fascist parties.

Mr. Waddington

Cases are considered individually in accordance with the immigration rules.

Mr. Winnick

If it was right for the Home Secretary to prevent an American from coming to Britain recently—and I believe that the Home Secretary was absolutely right—why should elected representatives of Fascist parties, for example, those elected in France and one Nazi elected in Israel, be allowed to come to Britain to spread their racial mischief and poison?

Mr. Waddington

Every member of the Government abhors racism, but to prevent anyone coming here just because he belongs to a party to which racist views are attributed does not seem to be justifiable. Clearly it would be another matter if he were coming here to propound racist views. Any question of excluding M. Le Pen would have to be considered in the light of the circumstance prevailing at the time and would have to take account of the fact that he enjoys certain immunities and privileges by virtue of being a Member of the European Parliament. MEPs are not liable to detention in a member state while the Assembly is in session; nor can MEPs be hindered when travelling to or from the Assembly.

Mr. Adley

While I would not wish to be associated with the point that the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) has made, will my hon. and learned Friend nevertheless consider the fact that it was an election by proportional representation, which seems to encourage the election of people with extremist views to Parliament?

Mr. Waddington

I am sure that my hon. Friend is right to bring that to the attention of all of us and point out one of the follies that would result from the introduction of proportional representation in this country.

Mr. Mallon

Is the Minister aware of the underlying Fascist influence on events taking place in Northern Ireland, and that already members of a Fascist organisation have appeared in court in Northern Ireland on charges related to violence? Will he assess the relationship between that Fascist party and parties that are represented in this House?

Mr. Waddington

This question is directed to the admission of people to the United Kingdom. The matter raised by the hon. Gentleman does not bear on that problem.