Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the statement of the chairman of the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway at the recent half-yearly meeting that Dover and Folkestone were now so visited by foreigners in the summer season, coming in the trains and steamers of the railway company, that they presented the appearance of Continental towns; and whether he will consider the advisability of including in the Aliens Bill provisions by which the powers of railway companies to carry any number of aliens, without any restriction as to numbers or character, will be curtailed?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOne of the difficulties involved in the administration of the existing Act is that of avoiding undue interference with the tourist traffic through the cross-Channel ports. The proposal of my hon. Friend would add to those difficulties, and I certainly cannot contemplate such action being taken.
Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the great danger that is run by permitting all sorts of persons to land, some of whom may be spies?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am afraid it is quite impossible to draw cordons round our ports.