HC Deb 24 February 1903 vol 118 cc670-1
SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many aliens had to be arrested last year by the Metropolitan Police, and if his attention has been called to the representations on the subject by the Judges of the High Court of Justice, by the Recorder of London, by the Chairman of the Middlesex Sessions, and by juries, and what steps he proposes to take to save the taxpayer from the expense of maintaining these alien criminals during imprisonment.

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. COCHRANE,) Ayrshire, N.

I am aware that representations such asmy hon. and gallant friend indicates have been made. It would be a matter of extreme difficulty to give trustworthy figures in answer to this question, but I have under consideration the best way of laying the necessary information before the Royal Commission which is now inquiring into the whole question of alien immigration.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

But I was given last November † the number of arrests up to October, so surely the Department has the information in hand?

MR. COCHRANE

My hon. friend had better put another Question.

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

That is my Question.