§ MR. CLAUDE HAYI beg to ask the Prime Minister if the pledges in regard to the alteration of regulations under The Aliens Act, 1905, given by the President of the Board of Trade to his late constituents at Manchester, represent the views of His Majesty's Government; and, if so, when these regulations will be issued.
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELI beg leave to answer this Question. The statements made on behalf of His Majesty's Government by the President of the Board of Trade involve partly administrative and partly legislative action, but not the issue of fresh regulations as is suggested in the question. The provision of receiving houses at immigration ports where clear necessity can be shown must be recognised to be an essential part of the machinery of the Act; and power is taken in the Port of London Bill, which is under the charge of the President of the Board of Trade, to enable such a house to be established in London, the port at which difficulty has arisen. The question of according to an immigrant the right of appeal to the High Court is a matter which requires legislation, and is under consideration. My right hon. friend also repeated in emphatic terms the promises already given by the Home Secretary to adopt any suggestions which will, in his opinion, 1403 improve the composition of the Immigration Boards, or any suggestions for remedying defects in the arrangements for the interpretation of evidence and representation of aliens. These pledges stand, but they affect only administration, and do not involve any new regulations.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYMay I ask the hon. Gentleman to reply to my Question with reference to the reduction of naturalisation fees? The President of the Board of Trade stated at Manchester on March 25th that he spoke with the authority of his colleagues, and that, though the late Cabinet had not seen their way to reduce the naturalisation fees, that circumstance did not bind the present Cabinet. Is it intended, in accordance with the declaration of the President of the Board of Trade, to reduce naturalisation fees?
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELThat does not in any way arise out of the Question on the Paper.
§ MR. LEVERTON HARRIS (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)Is it proposed to add to the hoards members who are agreeable to the Christian community as well as members who are agreeable to the Jewish community?
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUELIn cases where their present composition is defective it is proposed to make the boards thoroughly representative of all sections of the community.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYNot having received a reply to my Question, I beg to give notice that I shall put a series of Questions with the object of getting a reply.