Captain FABERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state whether his attention has been called to a case at Southampton County Court on 15th March, which was described by Judge Gye as a scandal, and by which it appears that many Italians have been brought over to work on no wages either at Southampton or other places to which they were supplied; and whether he can see his way to suppress this traffic?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)I have seen newspaper reports of the county court case on which this question is based. The case related to Italians engaged in the ice-cream trade. I have no power to "suppress the traffic" as desired by the hon. Member, but I may say the conditions under which young Italians are brought to this country for the purposes of this and kindred trades have for some time engaged the attention of my Department in connection with the administration of the Aliens Act. From time to time leave to land at ports in the United Kingdom is refused under that Act to such Italians by immigration officers and immigration boards on the ground that they are not satisfied that the immigrants have, or can obtain, means of decently supporting themselves in this country; in other cases the immigrants produce sufficient evidence to satisfy the immigration officers or boards, and are given leave to land. With a view to assisting the officers and boards with information my Department makes inquiries, when occasion arises, into the way in which these immigrants are treated by those who brought them here, and I have reason to think that this action is proving beneficial. I shall continue to watch the matter very carefully.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think inquiry has been made, but I will see.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDCan the hon. Gentleman tell me what became of the Bill which the Labour party promoted and passed unanimously through this House on this subject?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member can find that out for himself.