HC Deb 13 March 1905 vol 142 cc1203-4
SIR THOMAS DEWAR (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of aliens at present undergoing sentences in His Majesty's prisons in the United Kingdom; and how the figures compare with the four previous years.

*MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

The total number of convicted aliens received into prisons in England and Wales was, in the year 1899, 2,437; 1900, 2,761; 1901, 3,101; 1902, 3,845; 1903, 4,099. The figures for 1904 shall be sent to the hon. Member as soon as they are completed. To give the figures for a particular day would involve the collection of a special return, and they would be much less satisfactory, for purposes of comparison, than the total number received.

MR. LOUGH

Does this increase approximate to the general increase of crime in this country?

*MR. AKERS - DOUGLAS

asked for notice of that Question.

SIR THOMAS DEWAR

Is it a fact there is a general increase of crime in this country?

[No Answer was returned.]