§ Mr. RUPERT GUINNESSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a case in which an Italian street hawker named Saverio Geammargo, having been summoned before the magistrate at the Old Street Police Court on 7th July on a charge of obstruction, and professing himself unable to speak English and without 1348 means to pay for the services of an interpreter, the magistrate, Mr. Cluer, adjourned the summons sine die on the ground that the receiver would not allow him to grant certificates for interpreter's fees in such cases; and whether he will take steps to alter the condition of affairs under which an alien can act in contravention of the law and obtain immunity from the consequences of his offence by declaring that he does not understand English and is without means?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Herbert Gladstone)I had not previously heard of the case, and am making inquiries into it, which are not yet concluded. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that there is no such danger as he suggests at the end of the question.