HC Deb 27 October 1952 vol 505 cc177-8W
Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what grounds he has written to Mr. Ralph Slater, the hypnotist, stating that no further civil court proceedings against him are contemplated by a third party and ordering him to make arrangements to leave the United Kingdom without further delay; and if, in the circumstances, he will grant Mr. Slater an extended permit to stay and work in Britain.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

On 2nd October, 1952, the solicitor to the plaintiff in the civil action in which Mr. Slater was defendant stated that his client had come to the conclusion that any further proceedings would merely result in a waste of public funds. Mr. Slater had been allowed to remain in the United Kingdom on account of this litigation, but he was originally admitted on 20th February, 1952, for a period of six weeks only to take music hall engagements for which my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour had issued a permit. My right hon. and learned Friend is not prepared to recommend that Mr. Slater should be allowed to remain for the sole purpose of taking further engagements. It is the normal practice for aliens who are allowed to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for temporary purposes to be required to leave when these purposes have been served, and I can find no grounds for treating Mr. Slater's case exceptionally.