HC Deb 07 July 1976 vol 914 c551W
Mr. Ian Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has given any instructions to immigration officers to distinguish on grounds of colour in the case of those arriving at British ports and airports with Rhodesian passports;

(2) whether he will place in the Library a copy of the instructions which have been given to immigration officers on the methods to be employed in handling those arriving at British airports and seaports with Rhodesian passports.

Dr. Summerskill

The admission of holders of documents issued by the illegal régime in Rhodesia is governed by the published Immigration Rules (HC 79) which make it clear that immigration officers are to carry out their duties without regard to the race, colour or religion of people seeking to enter the United Kingdom. The rules are supplemented by instructions of an administrative nature, and I think it right to maintain the practice followed by successive Governments that such instructions are not published. I can assure the hon. Member that we have issued no instruction which derogates from the principle contained in the rules.