Oral Answers to Questions — Iraq (Transit Visas)

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 December 1949.

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Photo of Sir Walter Fletcher Sir Walter Fletcher , Bury 12:00, 12 December 1949

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that holders of British passports passing through Iraq in transit are subjected to delay and inconvenience and refusal of transit visa on the grounds of their religion; and what action he proposes to take.

Photo of Mr Christopher Mayhew Mr Christopher Mayhew , Norfolk Southern

The attention of my right hon. Friend has not so far been drawn to any case in which a transit visa has been refused on the ground of the applicant's religion. On these and other grounds certain visa applications have, however, been referred to the Iraqi authorities in Bagdad for decision, but this practice of referring applications to the central government is common to many States, and no action is at present contemplated by His Majesty's Government.

Photo of Sir Walter Fletcher Sir Walter Fletcher , Bury

Is it not a fact that, as in the case which I referred to the Secretary of State, great inconvenience and delay are caused, on grounds of religion to the holders of British passports, and that they are subjected to humiliation and have to remain locked up in planes? Will the hon. Gentleman see that, when they are proceeding on their lawful occasions, they are not subjected to these discriminatory practices on the grounds of religion?

Photo of Mr Christopher Mayhew Mr Christopher Mayhew , Norfolk Southern

Where there are delays and inconveniences—and they do exist—I shall be glad to take up individual cases, but I do not accept all the facts which the hon. Member has stated. We have no grounds for intervention at present.

Photo of Mr Samuel Silverman Mr Samuel Silverman , Nelson and Colne

Is my hon. Friend not aware that, while it is true that on special reference to headquarters, permission has ultimately been obtained in an individual case, the general rule in Iraq at the moment is not to permit persons of the Jewish faith to have even transit facilities over Iraq, even when they are British citizens or the citizens of any other country? Is it not on the basis of that general discrimination that the Foreign Secretary ought to take some action or make some representation?

Photo of Mr Christopher Mayhew Mr Christopher Mayhew , Norfolk Southern

No. I can only say that I am not aware of any case in which a visa has been refused. I am aware that there have been delays, and I shall be glad to take up individual cases.

Photo of Sir Walter Fletcher Sir Walter Fletcher , Bury

The hon. Gentleman says that he will be glad to take up individual cases. Does he not remember the case which I referred to him of the son of a High Court judge in this country, a man with an excellent Service record, who was subjected to a great deal of expense in sending telegrams to the chief of police in Bagdad, and that he has refused to take up this man's case and is completely supine in taking up the case of a British subject?

Photo of Mr Christopher Mayhew Mr Christopher Mayhew , Norfolk Southern

I cannot accept that. I understand that a visa was not refused. There may have been delay, but there would have been less delay if we had been asked to interfere when the dispute started.