HC Deb 08 July 1898 vol 61 cc315-6
COLONEL SIR H. VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is able to inform the House how many aliens came in the course of the year 1897 into the custody of the Metropolitan and City police, and how many were convicted of the offences with which they were charged; and, further, in respect of how many fugitives from foreign criminal justice was application for extradition addressed to New Scotland Yard and Old Jewry in the same twelve months; and how many persons were deported to England by Ministerial decree of expulsion in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria-Hungary, and Russia?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpool

Three thousand and thirty-five aliens came into the custody of these police forces in 1897, of whom 2,201 were convicted. Applications for extradition are addressed to the Government, and only in cases of emergency or by inadvertence is a direct communication made to the police; 43 applications were received in 1897, the number of fugitive criminals whose surrender was demanded being 50. In addition warrants were issued on direct application to a magistrate for the provisional arrests of 31 persons who were either not found or were discharged because the demand for extradition was not proceeded with. I have no information in regard to the last paragraph of the Question.

COLONEL SIR H. VINCENT

Is the right honourable Gentleman aware that a considerable number of persons are deported?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT

I can only say that I have no means of getting accurate information.

MR. COHEN (Islington, E.)

I would ask the right honourable Gentleman whether he knows how many of these persons who were convicted answer to the description of pauper aliens?

SIR M. W. RIDLEY

I imagine the great majority of them were pauper aliens, but I cannot say accurately.