My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

None, my Lords. I understand that Miss Devlin told the French authorities that she was not a British subject. I further understand that she was travelling on an Irish passport.

My Lords, is the Minister aware that his Answer does not seem to me to reject the suggestion? Whatever our views may be about Miss Devlin, is not a more fundamental issue raised now? Is the noble Marquess aware that I should have objected if it were Mr. Enoch Powell or Mr. Ronald Bell? Is it not a case of the rights of Parliament, and an affront to Parliament, as well as to an individual?

My Lords, would the noble Marquess not agree that any representations to the French Government should suggest that it would have been a kind act of international friendship if they had kept Miss Devlin in France?

My Lords, I do not think I had better comment on the noble Baroness's last remark. In reply to the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, I think that all these cases must be taken on their merits. Certainly in this case Miss Devlin made on approach whatsoever to any British authority, either in France or in this country, regarding her visit.

My Lords, in view of the fact that no one can sit in the House of Commons who is not a British subject, was Miss Devlin's statement incorrect?

No my Lords; I do not think that it was incorrect—although I think that is something which my noble friend at the Home Office would be better qualified to answer than I am. I understand that if Miss Devlin is a citizen of the Irish Republic, under the Ireland Act 1949 she is entitled to sit in the House of Commons.

My Lords, would the noble Marquess not agree that President Pompidou was a little premature in this matter? Could he not have had a referendum on the subject?

My Lords, does the noble Marquess believe—in fact, does any noble Lord believe—that Miss Devlin was unable to speak for herself?

My Lords, should we not now regard Miss Devlin as an export reject?

My Lords, is it not the case that, even if Miss Devlin said she was a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, as a Member of the British Parliament she is also a citizen of this country? And in that case, is it not the duty of Her Majesty's Government to make some protest when a Member of the British Parliament is excluded from another country?

No, my Lords; I do not think that that is necessarily so. Any Government is entitled to exclude anybody from entering its country if it wishes to do so. I do not wish to comment on the action of the French Government in this respect, but in this particular case, as I have said, there seemed to be no question at all that Miss Devlin was not anxious to involve the British Government in any way.