asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Spanish Government, in January, 1954, refused visas to Mr. Percy Knight, National Organiser of the National Union of Seamen and a distinguished British trade unionist, and Mr. Saul Rose, the Secretary of the Labour Party's International Department, both British citizens of repute; if he will inquire from the Spanish Government why these visas were so refused; and make a statement on the subject to this House.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir," and to the second part is "No, Sir." By international practice, no sovereign State is required to give a reason for a refusal to allow entry into its territory by citizens of another country. There are, therefore, no grounds for making a statement to the House.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any reciprocity in this matter? If so, how does it work? Is the discrimination against Socialists only, or does it apply to other Britons as well?

I am not quite sure what the hon. and learned Gentleman means by reciprocity, but, as far as I am aware, there is no question of reciprocity here. It is merely a matter of individual cases.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean to say that he has not even inquired through our mission about the reason these visas were refused? Will he not do so?

There is no ground on which Her Majesty's Ambassador could be asked to inquire why these visas were refused.