HC Deb 28 July 1977 vol 936 cc581-2W
Sir John Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why Scientologists have been banned from entering the United Kingdom; and if he will now adopt the recommendations of Sir John Foster's Committee and raise the ban;

(2) from official sources of information available to him, if he will list countries other than the United Kingdom who ban the entry of Scientologists.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The Government of the day stated on 25th July 1968 that they were satisfied that, having reviewed all the available evidence, scientology was socially harmful and that they would take steps to curb its growth.

My reply to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Lewis) of 23rd May—[Vol. 932, c. 371–372]—set out the immigration restrictions that apply. No change is proposed in these pending the completion of the Government's consideration of Sir John Foster's report.

It would involve a disproportionate effort to analyse comparable action taken by other Governments against scientologists who are not their own nationals.