Dr. Linus Pauling

Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 11 December 1958.

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Photo of Mr Kenneth Robinson Mr Kenneth Robinson , St Pancras North 12:00, 11 December 1958

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has failed to offer Dr. Linus Pauling any expression of regret in respect of his treatment at the hands of the immigration officers at London Airport on 31st August.

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

I regret that I have no more to say on this incident, which I had hoped was closed.

Photo of Mr Kenneth Robinson Mr Kenneth Robinson , St Pancras North

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his failure in this case to make even the qualified expression of regret which he gave to Dr. NiemÖller has given rise to the suspicion that in this instance the action of the Home Office was taken at the instigation of the American State Department?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

That is rather far-fetched. I can deny that there was any question of anything like that. This case has come up in the course of our exchanges in the House. I do not wish to reopen it. I naturally regret any inconvenience which was caused, but I do not wish to reopen the case, because it was very much magnified at the time and I think that the House has had a fairer account of what happened.