§ MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)asked the Secretary to the Board of 264 Trade, Whether, in view of the increasing importance attaching to the question of destitute aliens, and to the fact that no Returns are available showing the number and nationality of such aliens arriving annually in the British Isles, he will immediately take measures to collect information as to the foreigners arriving at the various ports of the United Kingdom, who are without resources and likely to become chargeable upon the rates?
§ THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)The Board of Trade have no Statutory power, nor have they any funds at their disposal for carrying out the suggestion made by the hon. Member, and it would not appear possible to obtain such information. Passengers landing, say, at Dover, Harwich, or Hull, or at any similar port, could not be questioned on landing as to their resources, and as to whether they intended to settle in the country.