§ 3.29 p.m.
§ LORD KERSHAWMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lord Calverley, who I am sorry to say is indisposed, I beg to ask the Question which stands in his name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the immigrants who recently arrived from the West Indies in Italian ships had been medically examined before the ships sailed and whether they were provided with proper clothing and sufficient money; and to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can give the name of the organisation responsible.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES(LORD LLOYD)My Lords, the parties of West Indian immigrants who recently arrived from the West Indies in Italian ships were not medically examined before embarkation. There is no requirement that private fare-paying passengers joining ships in the West Indies should submit themselves for medical examination. The immigrants do not undertake their journey under official auspices, and there is no question of an obligation on the authorities in the West Indies to provide them with money or clothing. The ships in question are owned by well-known shipowners with agents in London, and arrangements for passages are made in the ordinary course of business by travel agencies in the West Indies.
§ LORD KERSHAWI beg to thank the noble Lord for his Answer.