Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jenkins (Passports)

HC Deb 10 July 1968 vol 768 cc102-3W

Mr. Ian Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will state the reasons for the decision to deprive Mr. and Mrs. Jack Jenkins of their passports.

Mr. George Thomson

On their arrival in the United Kingdom, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins were found to be travelling on invalid documents issued by the illegal regime in Rhodesia. These were impounded in accordance with the policy announced by my predecessor in the House on 25th January, 1966. Since their "registration" as Rhodesian citizens took place after the illegal declaration of independence, it was not valid and we could not therefore issue them with passports as British subjects. They have been issued with certificates of identity which should enable them to complete their journey.