HC Deb 15 May 1896 vol 40 cc1423-5
SIR HOWARD VINCENT

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, if his attention has been called to the increase by nearly 3,000 of the pauper aliens arriving at eastern ports for sojourn in this country in the first third of the present year compared to last year: and, whether he will introduce and press forward the Measure in contemplation with regard to the immigration of aliens without further delay?

MR. JOSEPH A. PEASE (Northumberland, Tyneside)

asked whether it was not a fact that the aliens who appeared in the monthly Board of Trade Returns under the heading of those "not stated to be en route to America" included a large number of sailors and others, who almost immediately proceeded to other countries; and whether it was not a fact that at many of the eastern ports, such as at the Tyne ports, nearly every alien who arrived was reengaged as a sailor or proceeded to America or elsewhere?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) Croydon

My hon. and gallant Friend refers in his Question to "pauper" aliens. No returns of the Board of Trade deal with paupers as such; they give the total number of aliens, the gross increase in which is as stated in the Question, but the number of sailors included among aliens not stated to be en route to America was 3,431 as compared with 2,316 in the first four mouths of 1895. With reference to the last portion of the Question, I cannot add anything to what has already been said by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on the subject.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

May I ask whether the attention of the right hon. Gentleman has been drawn to the serious matter of the importation of these alien sailors who take berths on British ships?

MR. RITCHIE

Attention has been drawn more than once in the House of Commons to the fact that a good many foreign sailors are engaged for manning the mercantile marine.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

I must ask whether the right hon. gentleman can give us any hope of the Bill being speedily introduced? Its mention in the Queen's Speech is calculated to draw these people to this country in greater numbers.

MR. RITCHIE

I am afraid I can give no further answer. I confess I have not much hope of being able to introduce the Bill.

MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)

asked, whether the Government would give time for the Bill which had been introduced.

MR. RITCHIE

My hon. and gallant Friend has a Bill before the House.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

No, Sir, I have not. [Laughter."]