SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for 1358 the Home Department how many aliens have been charged at Metropolitan police courts in the last twelve months; and if, having regard to the number of criminal cases throughout the country in which aliens are concerned, he will consider the desirability of acquiring the power of expelling from the country aliens who have made themselves amenable to the criminal law; and further, what steps are being taken to prevent persons expelled from Belgium and other Continental States in consequence of anarchist outrages settling in London and other British centres in the absence of any other State consenting to receive them.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. COCHRANE,) Ayrshire, N.During the twelve months ending the 31st October last, 4,943 persons of foreign nationality were charged at the Metropolitan police courts. As regards the second and third paragraphs of the Question, it would be premature to make any statement or express an opinion as to the desirability of legislation pending the Report of the Royal Commission which is now inquiring into the whole question of alien immigration.
§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these figures show an increase on those for the previous year?
§ MR. COCHRANEI cannot say.