Immigrants (United Kingdom)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what regulations govern the issue to West Indian nationals of passports if they wish to immigrate into this country; and how many have been issued in the last 12 months.
I am asking the Governors of the British Caribbean territories for this information and will write to my hon. Friend when I have it.
Admissions, West Sussex
asked the Minister of Health on how many occasions in the last five years critically ill patients in West Sussex have been refused immediate admission to hospital on the ground that no hospital bed was available for them in the area, in view of the case of the late Mrs. F. Bartlett, who died in the Atkinson Morley Hospital, London, of a broken blood vessel in the brain on 11th February, 1957, having been sent to a London hospital from West Sussex, after a delay of two days; and if he is satisfied with the operation of the local emergency bed service in question.
Critically ill patients in this area who require emergency treatment in hospital are admitted without delay, and I am not aware of any such patient who has been refused immediate admission. The late Mrs. Bartlett was referred to the local emergency bed service not as requiring emergency treatment but requiring hospital care. The operation of this service appears to be satisfactory so far as acute emergency cases are concerned, but I am aware of difficulties in securing the admission of patients to chronic sick beds owing to shortage of accommodation which the regional board are making good as quickly as circumstances permit.
Removal of Vehicles (Insurance)
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements the Metropolitan Police have made for insurance cover to be provided where police officers in the force remove vehicles under the provision of the Road Traffic Act, 1957, without the owner's consent.
None. Such vehicles when driven by the Metropolitan Police are regarded as vehicles driven for police purposes, and liability for any loss or damage where the police driver was at fault would be accepted as in the case of a police vehicle.
MIDDLE EAST EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES (PERSONNEL)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many personnel from the other countries of the Commonwealth are employed in, or attached to, Her Majesty's Embassies and Consulates in the Middle East.
Fifty-one persons from other countries of the Commonwealth are employed in or attached to Her Majesty's Embassies and Consulates in the Middle East, as follows: — Australians Indians Pakistanis Total Turkey — — 1 1 Iraq — 6 1 7 Iran — — 15 15 Lebanon 1 — — 1 Persian Gulf — 18 9 27 1 24 26 51
These personnel are employed on clerical, secretarial, driving and other similar duties. They are engaged locally by Her Majesty's Representatives and none is attached or seconded.
In addition to the above, five persons from British colonies are employed in the Middle East; they include three from Aden, one British West African and one Cypriot.