§ 11.20 a.m.
Lord JANNERMy 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 whether they are aware that Mr. Sean Kenny, Sinn Fein Director of International Affairs, has said that "all delegates attending the Conference which is to be held in Dublin and Belfast would be advised to travel incognito to avoid intervention by the immigration authorities"; and what steps are being taken to prevent terrorists from attending the conference.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Harris of Greenwich)My Lords, the situation is being watched carefully and my right honourable friend the Home Secretary will be alert to prevent the entry into the United Kingdom of anyone subject to immigration control who there is reason to believe may engage in or encourage acts of violence.
Lord JANNERMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend why the Government are not prepared to stop all people who belong to the P.L.O., which has shown quite clearly the kind of policy it is adopting by its methods of shooting children in the head and murdering Christian Arabs in Lebanon, from being allowed to come to meetings which are being held for the purpose of ascertaining how best to deal with the situation, which is being discussed in this particular gathering in Belfast and in Dublin?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, I think if my noble friend studies the reply I have given he will see that the Government intend to do their best to prevent entry into the United 2148 Kingdom of anyone who there is reason to believe may engage in or encourage acts of violence, and I think that is the answer to his question.
Lord JANNERBut, my Lords, may I please ask again why the Government do not realise that a member of the P.L.O. is a person who has allowed himself to be associated with, if not actually participating in, these horrible brutalities which are taking place, and if such people come to a meeting of the sort contemplated in Belfast and in Dublin they are likely to do their best to introduce those particular methods, which can be utilised against our people in the same way as against Christians in Lebanon and Jews and others in other parts of the world?
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHMy Lords, with great respect to my noble friend, I think I have answered that question.