LONDON— Influx of Indians into Britain flying saucers and horror comics were among matters that concerned the British Cabinet in 1955, according to government documents of the period released for the first time Wednesday,

The Cabinet papers were made public under the so called 30year rule. This permits publication of government documents after 30 Bears if secrecy is no longer considered necessary.

‘The papers include a 1955 memorandum from Commonwealth Secretary Alec Douglas Home warning that an influx of working class Indians into Britain “could become a menace” unless checked.

The politician who became Prime Minister in 1963, said in the memorandum, “We do not wish to keep out immigrants of good type from the “old” dominions… 1 myself would argue that we should not take any action which would give the impression that citizens from India, Pakistan and Ceylon are less favorably treated than citizens from other Commonwealth countries.”

The papers show the Cabinet decided against drafting legislation to curb immigration.

The papers also include a 1955 memorandum from the late Prime Minister Winston Churchill asking the Air Ministry fora report on flying saucers, “What does all this stuff about flying saucers amount to?” he demanded.

‘The reply from the Air Ministry assured the Prime Minister that the “stuff” did not amount to much.

‘The concern over comic books caused such an outcry that the government pushed through a 1955 law making it illegal to print, publish or sell a work aimed at children that portrayed violence or cruelty.

Papers from the Prime minister’s office show the government exerted pressure in 1955 to change the selection of movies for the annual royal film performance after the queen described the previous year’s choice “Beau Brumnll” as a “bad film.”

The movie, starring Stewart Granger in the title role as the early 19th century dandy, contained an unflattering portrait of the queen’s ancestor King George IV, played by Peter Ustinov.

The government’s efforts were successful and the 1955 selection, Alfred Hiscock’s “To Catch A Thief” with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, met with royal approval.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 10, 1986