§ 81. Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Mr. William Strachan the Secretary and representative of the Caribbean and West Indian students at present in London and the secretary of their British organisation, at present on a tour of the West Indian Colonies at the request of the students has been denied entrance into the island of Trinidad by the Governor, Sir Hubert Rance, as an alleged undesirable character and thus excluded from making contacts between Trinidadian students in Britain and their friends and relatives in Trinidad; and whether this action was approved by him.
§ 89. Sir R. Aclandasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Billy Strachan, a Jamaican who served as a flying officer in the war, has been excluded from Trinidad.
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§ Mr. LytteltonI am not aware that Mr. Strachan is either an official or a representative of the recognised organisation of West Indian students in London. He is a Jamaican by birth who is a member of the British Communist Party. He was deemed to be an undesirable visitor to Trinidad under the Trinidad Immigration (Restriction) Ordinance. The decision is not that of the Governor personally but of the Governor in Executive Council, a majority of whom are elected members of the Legislature and hold ministerial portfolios. The matter is not one which requires my approval and I am not prepared to intervene.
§ 83. Dr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Councillor Mrs. J. Jagan of Georgetown, British Guiana, was classed as an undesirable citizen of the West Indies and as such was refused leave to land in Trinidad as a temporary visitor.
§ Mr. LytteltonMrs. Jagan was deemed by the Governor-in-Council under the Trinidad Immigration (Restriction) Ordinance, to be an undesirable visitor to Trinidad, and consequently became a prohibited immigrant. This is a matter within the discretion of the Trinidad Government and, as I have explained in reply to an earlier Question, I am not prepared to intervene.