HC Deb 05 August 1914 vol 65 cc1986-90
The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)

I beg to move, "That leave be given to introduce a Bill to enable His Majesty in time of war or imminent national danger or great emergency by Order in Council to impose restrictions on Aliens, and make such provisions as may be necessary or expedient for carrying such restrictions into effect."

One of the main objects of the Bill is to remove of restrain the movements of undesirable aliens, especially with a view to the removal or detention of spies. Information in the possession of the Government proves that cases of espionage have been frequent in recent years, and many spies have been caught and dealt with by the police. Within the last twenty-four hours no fewer than twenty-one spies, or suspected spies, have been arrested in various places all over the country, chiefly in important military or naval centres, some of them long known to the authorities to be spies. The arrangements contemplated by the Order have been designed with a view to cause as little inconvenience as possible to alien friends, while leaving effective control over dangerous enemy aliens.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill ordered to be brought in by the Prime Minister and Mr. McKenna. Presented accordingly, read the first time, and ordered to be printed. [Bill 355.]

Resolved, That this House will immediately resolve itself into a Committee on the Bill.—[Mr. McKenna.]

Bill accordingly considered in Committee.

[Mr. WHITLEY in the Chair.]

Mr. BARNES

May I ask if the terms of the operative Clause can be read from the Chair?

Mr. WHITLEY

It is as follows:—

    cc1987-90
  1. CLAVSE 1.—(Powers with respect to Aliens in Case of National Emergency). 1,340 words