HC Deb 30 January 1989 vol 146 cc4-5W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the activities in London of the group known as the Guardian Angels.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Atkinson) on 27 January.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ascertain how many United States citizens, belonging to the group known as Guardian Angels, have been permitted to visit the United Kingdom in the last year to date.

Mr. Renton

As far as we are aware, three Americans representing the group 'the Guardian Angels' arrived at Heathrow on Sunday, 16 October 1988 and four at Gatwick on 24 January 1989. Others may, of course, have entered the United Kingdom as United States citizens coming here for visits.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will use his powers to deport those United States citizens belonging to the group known as Guardian Angels on the grounds that their presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good.

Mr. Renton

No. I am not aware of any justification for the use of the powers.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether any of those United States citizens belonging to the group known as Guardian Angels and recently admitted to the United Kingdom have been convicted of criminal offences(a) in the United Kingdom or (b) elsewhere; what evidence was presented to show that they were not likely to have recourse to public funds in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement; (2) by whom the United States citizens belonging to the group known as the Guardian Angels and recently admitted to the United Kingdom are to be employed; and whether they have been issued with valid work permits.

Mr. Renton

The persons in question were admitted as visitors with a prohibition of employment. Work permits were not required for the purpose of the visits as stated. I am not aware of any reason for excluding these passengers under the immigration rules on the ground that they might become a charge on public funds, or on grounds of criminal record.