§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the United States of America have still further increased the restrictions upon the immigration of aliens; and, if he can inform the House what these restrictions are, that steps may be taken not to admit pauper aliens to this country, alleged to be en route to America, unless it is certain that they will be permitted by that Republic to land?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportA Bill has been introduced in the United States Senate for the purpose of increasing the restrictions on immigration of aliens, by adding to the classes now excluded from admission into the United States all persons over 14 years of age who cannot read and write the language of their native country, or some other language. Certain exceptions are made in favour of parents and grandparents. A separate Bill has also passed the House of Representatives prohibiting the admission into the United States of any alien who resides or retains his home in a foreign country, and who purposes to seek employment in any mechanical trade or manual labour, and prohibiting the employment of such aliens in the United States. The latter Bill has been reported to the Senate with Amendments, which would make it conform with the Bill originally introduced in the Senate; but both Bills are now awaiting the consideration of that body.
MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)May I ask what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking in respect to the large number of persons who are described as emigrants en route to America, and whether, in the event of those persons being returned on the hands of the shipping companies, they will be allowed to land in this country or the shipping companies be compelled to take them to their place of origin? ["Hear, hear!"]
§ MR. CURZONasked for notice of this Question.