§ MR. CLAUDE HAYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any official information showing that arrangements are now being made by emigration agents at Libau for the shipment to England during the coming summer of 80,000 Russian Jews and others in a manner and under conditions designed to evade the Aliens Act, and that steamers of the Lassman Line have been chartered to run between Libau and the English ports for this purpose; and, if not, whether he will cause inquiries to be made by His Majesty's Consul at Libau on the subject, with a view of informing Parliament.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have in my possession a Report from the British Consul at Libau to the effect that emigration from the Baltic Provinces promises this year to be on a large scale, and I understand that shipping companies are making arrangements accordingly. A large proportion, no doubt, of the passengers will be proceeding to destinations beyond the United Kingdom. The total numbers can at present be but a matter for speculation; and I do not clearly gather what the arrangements for evading the Aliens Act which the hon. Member has in mind can be. I will take care that the matter is closely watched so that any evasion will not escape observation.