HL Deb 21 September 1972 vol 335 cc1281-2
LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what conclusions were reached at the discussions between Mr. Anthony McNulty, Secretary of the European Commission of Human Rights, and a Representative of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding the appeals of 30 Kenyan British Asians and others against the refusal of entry permits to the United Kingdom.

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE)

My Lords, discussions between the Commission and the parties in the course of proceedings instituted before the Commission are confidential, in the interests of all concerned.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for her reply, may I ask her whether a new situation has arisen with the recognition of the rights of British passport holders to come to this country? Does not this give an opportunity to reach an agreement on this issue at the European Commission of Human Rights? There are 122 British passport holders scattered in six countries over Europe, of whom I have particulars, and between 60 and 70 people are in detention in this country. Might not this issue be settled with the European Commission of Human Rights?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, without revealing the confidentiality of the discussions which I have described to the noble Lord, in his Question he refers to 30 Kenyan Asians when in fact there were 31. I am glad to say that they have all been accepted for residence in the United Kingdom and while discussions are going on regarding other people to whom the noble Lord referred we all hope for a friendly settlement.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Baroness for the correction of my Question. May I draw her attention to a particular case? There have been 21 passport holders in Boulogne for a number of weeks. Their position was raised by the Foreign Secretary of France, M. Schumann, when he visited Mr. Heath. When the French Foreign Secretary returned to France he said that the British Government were no longer opposed to the entry of the people who were at Boulogne, and that they would be permitted to enter Britain. Is it not the case that they were, nevertheless, arrested as soon as they arrived at Dover on August 29 and are still in prison?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, perhaps I may remind the noble Lord that his Question specifically related to 30 Kenyan British Asians, of whom I said there were 31. Therefore I am afraid that I cannot go into any details of any others.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, will the noble Baroness write to me upon this matter? It is urgent and important.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, if the noble Lord wishes to write to me on the subject of course I will look it up.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I shall be glad to do so.