§ MR. THEODORE TAYLOROn behalf of the hon. Member for the Otley Division of Yorkshire, I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a party of eight persons who went out from Yorkshire in September last in the steamship "Commonwealth" were not allowed to land at Boston, but were sent back to this country, though they were met by friends who were prepared to be responsible for them, and though they had not gone out under any contract; and, if so, will he make representations to the Government of the United States in regard to this occurrence.
§ EARL PERCYThe only information we have of the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Member is contained in a telegram just received from the Acting British Consul at Boston, who states on the authority of the Immigration Commissioner there that the persons referred 747 to were deported as likely to become a charge to the public, and that this decision was taken after thorough investigation and an appeal to the Department at Washington. We expect to receive in due course a full report of the circumstances of the case.