§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the great increase of alien immigration for sojourn in this country in 1896, amounting to 45,875 persons at eastern ports; and, if, in view of the facts, Her Majesty's Government propose to re-introduce the measure brought forward by Lord Salisbury in the last Parliament, or deal otherwise with the matter?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. C. T. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe figures of 45,875 persons quoted by the hon. Member is not the number of aliens arriving in this country for sojourn, but the number arriving from European ports, who are not stated to be en route to America. Having regard to the amount of business to which the Government are already committed, I am afraid I cannot hold out a hope of the Bill referred to being introduced during this Session.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of these aliens consist of sailors, and that the right hon. Baronet the Member for the Forest of Dean, as president of the Shipmasters Society, has called attention to the great national danger?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, Order! that does not arise out of the question on the Paper.