§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards transit rights of passengers at international ports and airports, with special reference to their freedom from arrest or interference with travel plans; and whether he will make a statement on the total number of transit passengers intercepted or hindered by British authorities during the past 10 years with details of the reasons for any such interference.
§ Mr. CarlisleTransit passengers enjoy no special freedom from arrest, and are subject to the same statutory powers of control as other travellers going through United Kingdom ports. No statistics are available showing the total number of cases in which these powers have been exercised in relation to transit passengers. If the hon. Member has any particular problem in mind, and will let me know what it is, I shall be glad to consider it.