§ 10. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on granting political asylum to persons taking refuge from Rhodesia to avoid compulsory service in the armed forces of the illegal régime.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe grounds for political asylum are set out in the Immigration Rules and require a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular group or political opinion. It follows that avoidance of armed service does not by itself fall within these criteria and hence the Continuing need to examine each application on its particular merits.