Mr. ArthurLewis asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will give an assurance that any person, including Americans, who has not been found guilty of any criminal offence or offence against Great Britain will be permitted to attend the forthcoming Social Reform Conference sponsored by the Church of Scientology;
(2) whether there are currently any restrictions on entry into Great Britain by Americans who are members of the Church of Scientology; who they are; what is the reason for the ban; under what statute the ban is imposed; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI understand that the conference in question is planned for 1980. Following the statement made by the then Minister of Health on 25th July 1968, permission to enter the country is refused to people who are subject to control under the Immigration Act 1971 and who wish to entre for the purposes of studying or working at a Scientology institution, or of promoting372W or extending the interests and activities of Scientology, or otherwise of engaging in its business. It follows that I can give no assurance about the admission of people coming for those purposes.