HC Deb 06 October 1938 vol 339 cc482-4W
Mr. Gallacher

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that when Mr. W. I. B. Peters, a British-born negro seaman, returned to Newcastle on 29th August, on steamship "Widestone," after a voyage from Cardiff, the shipping master at Newcastle made him report before being paid off to the immigration officer, who detained him for four days at his own expense and made him pay for a reply-paid telegram to his home in Treorchy to prove his identity; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into this treatment of a British subject and grant compensation?

Mr. Lloyd

To prevent additions to the number of alien seamen in this country, it is the duty of the immigration officer when a ship arrives here from a foreign port to prevent the discharge in this country of any members of the crew who are aliens and not already resident here. The "Widestone," after calling at Spitzbergen, arrived at Newcastle on 28th August. Out of a crew of 20, one man was unable to produce any documentary evidence of nationality or identity, and the immigration officer was unable to authorise his discharge until the position had been cleared up. As the man said he was known to the police at Cardiff, the immigration officer suggested that he should telegraph to them. The police were unable at first to identify him and it was not until 1st September that information was forthcoming. Meanwhile the seaman was permitted to reside on shore, and at no time was he detained in custody.

I regret any inconvenience which was caused to Mr. Peters, but the immigration officer was acting in accordance with the provisions of the Aliens Order, and no ground for compensation arises.

Mr. Gallacher

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the representations from coloured seamen of British nationality in the port of Hull, alleging discrimination by the Shipping Federation master against them in the matter of employment; and whether he will cause these allegations to be enquired into, with a view to allaying the discontent arising from such suspicions?

Mr. Stanley

I have received no representations of the kind indicated in the hon. Member's question. In May of this year, one man at Hull complained of difficulty in obtaining employment; I find that he received employment in his turn under the customary arrangements for the selection for employment of coloured seamen at this and certain other ports.