§ 32. Sir J. D. REESasked the Home Secretary if he will say for what reason he decided not to make an expulsion Order against the prisoner Malatesta?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe sentence of three months' imprisonment and the order to pay the costs of the prosecution appeared to be sufficient punishment for the offence of which Malatesta was convicted; and having regard to the nature of the offence and to the reports which I obtained as to his character and antecedents, I did not think that an expulsion Order was required in the public interest.
§ Mr. MOOREHad the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of the meeting in Trafalgar Square before he came to that decision?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the right hon. Gentleman occupy in this matter the position of a responsible Minister or the position of an irresponsible Pasha? Is it by caprice alone that he rejects the recommendation of the Court?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir, I acted on the same principles which have actuated all my predecessors.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask whether in the case of the right hon. Gentleman's predecessors their decisions could always be ascribed to pressure from one quarter?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir. My predecessors on both sides of the House have always endeavoured to discharge their duties on the best advice they could obtain and on the highest principles.
§ Mr. MOOREDoes the right hon. Gentleman, as the representative of the police for the Metropolitan area, now state that he was not aware of the mass meeting of the mob in Trafalgar Square in favour of this man?