HC Deb 28 October 1953 vol 518 cc377-8W
87. Mr. Benn

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. Arthur Clegg, the "Daily Worker" correspondent, was prevented from visiting British Guiana.

Mr. Lyttelton

I refer the hon. Member to the written reply I gave to my friend the hon. Member for Harrow, Central (Mr. Bishop) today.

95. Mr. S. Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. Arthur Clegg, the correspondent of the "Daily Worker" and a journalist of repute, was refused permission to land in British Guiana; and to what extent he intends that the democratic principles of the liberty of the Press will still be protected by Her Majesty's Government in that country.

Mr. Lyttelton

The answer to the first part of this Question I have already given to the hon. Member for Bristol, South-East (Mr. Benn).

As regards the second part, I shall do all I can to preserve the liberty of the Press in British Guiana. Mr. Clegg was excluded because he is a Communist, not because he was a journalist.

Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. Arthur Clegg, a journalist employed by the "Daily Worker," was excluded from British Guiana and denied the facilities granted to representatives of other London newspapers in connection with recent events there.

Mr. Lyttelton

Mr. Clegg was excluded from British Guiana because the Governor was satisfied that he was undesirable as a visitor to the Colony.