MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been 509 called to the fact of numerous alien immigrants, who have been refused admission into the United States, having been landed at Glasgow, and having become chargeable upon the rates; whether, in particular, an imbecile named Alter Ravenholm, a passenger from Bremen to Philadelphia, viâ Glasgow, who was prevented from landing by the United States authorities, has been brought to Glasgow by the Allan Steamship Company, and is now being maintained at the cost of the ratepayers; and whether he has received any communication from the Local Authorities upon this subject, and what steps Her Majesty's Government proposes to take with a view to preventing the recurrence of such scandals?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI have had a Memorial from the Govan Parochial Board on this occurrence. The Board of Trade, to which I referred this case as soon as it appeared in the public Press, state that it is the first distinct case which has been officially brought to the notice of their Department in which an emigrant returned from the United States has become a charge upon the rates of this country. However, it is a very serious matter; and if such cases recur, the Board of Trade suggest that proposals for legislation might be necessary. The matter shall be watched carefully in Scotland and in England.
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI have had the honour of introducing a non-contentious Bill which has the support of the Front Bench opposite. It has, however, been blocked by the right hon. Gentleman himself.
§ MR. STUART WORTLEYIs it not the fact that under the laws of the German Empire persons who like those named in the question are unable to maintain themselves are returned to their homes, and has not that power been exercised against British citizens?
§ SIR G. TREVELYANI must say I think our laws ought to prevent such an occurrence as this.