§ MR. O. V. MORGAN (Battersea)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to carry out the recommendations of the Immigration Committee of 1889; and what measures have been taken to ensure the Return by the masters of incoming vessels of the number of aliens on board, as provided by the Act 6 Will. 4, c. 11, s. 2?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe hon. Member is aware that a somewhat similar question was answered on the 16th inst. by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who explained what steps were being taken to procure statistical information at the ports, both at home and abroad, under the powers given by the Alien Act. The Commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs have given instructions to their officers at all ports where alien steerage and deck passengers are likely to arrive to require from the masters of vessels declarations of aliens, as provided by the Act. The officers of Customs have also been instructed to send monthly to the Board of Trade a Return of the number of aliens arriving here, as shown by the Ships' Reports. The Foreign Office has also been requested to instruct Her Majesty's Consuls resident on the Continent to report any information they may obtain as to the emigration of destitute persons to the United Kingdom.
§ *MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)Do they send in Reports?
§ MR. MATTHEWSYes; I believe they do.
§ *MR. BRADLAUGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware whether any steps are being taken to enforce the other provisions of the Alien Act in reference to steerage and deck passengers?
§ MR. MATTHEWSNo, Sir.
§ *MR. BRADLAUGHWhy do the Government enforce one part of the Statute, and dispense with the rest?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThere is no dispensation that I am aware of. The information which the House and the public desire is being collected.