HC Deb 22 June 1903 vol 124 c70
SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the fact that in the month of May, 8,171 alien immigrants, inclusive of 1,308 sailors, arrived as deck or third class passengers in the United Kingdom, not en route to places out of the United Kingdom, and that of these, 3,350 arrived at the Port of London; and whether, having regard to the presentment of the grand jury and the Chairman of the London Sessions, that the calendar for the present month shows that 20 per cent. of the prisoners are alien criminals, and of the fact that on a certain day no English was heard in the sessions court, he will take steps to expedite legislation on the subject.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. BONAR LAW,) Glasgow, Blackfriars

The figures given in the Question are not quite correctly stated. I have nothing to add, as regards legislation, to the reply given by me to the hon. Member on the 15th instant.†

SIR HOWARD VINCENT

In what respect are the figures not accurate? They are founded on the Returns of the Board of Trade.

MR. BONAR LAW

They are approximately correct but not quite accurate.