§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEI beg to ask the Home Secretary a question of which I have given private notice, namely, whether his attention has been drawn to the proceedings at Clerkenwell Sessions yesterday, when, in the case of Rex v. Potter, Mr. Marshall Hall, counsel for the defendant, asked Miss Zelie Emmerson, a witness for the pursuer, whether she was aware that Scotland Yard is moving to have her deported, and on her replying in the negative assured her it was so; whether Mr. Hall was authorised to make this statement, and if co, by whom, and what action he proposes taking to prevent official information being used in an attempt to bias a jury against a witness giving evidence?
§ Mr. McKENNAOn the last occasion, when Miss Emmerson was charged with an offence, instructions were given that in the event of her conviction the Magistrate's attention should be drawn to the fact that the is an alien, with a view to his recommending her for expulsion if he thought fit to do so. Whether Mr. Marshall Hall's question was a proper one to put to the witness was a matter for the Court. My hon. Friend gave me notice of this question last night, but in the notice which he sent just before the House met to-day he has added two additional points which I have not answered. He asks me whether Mr. Marshall Hall was authorised to make this statement. My answer to that is: Not so far as I am aware, but no doubt Mr. Hall had information of the fact. The hon. Member also asks: If so, 336 by whom? That question, also, I cannot answer, because, so far as I am aware, Mr. Hall was not authorised to ask the question.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIENow that the Home Secretary knows the gravity of the matter, will he cause inquiries to be made with a view to preventing a repetition of such action?
§ Mr. M'KENNAI think I am aware of all the facts of the case. The questions which counsel thinks proper to ask in cross-examination are a matter for him and the Court, not for me.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEThe right hon. Gentleman misses the point of the question. I do not question Mr. Marshall Hall's right to put the question. I want to know from whom he got the information that Scotland Yard had come to this decision?
§ Mr. M'KENNAThe instructions were given on the occasion of the last proceedings against Miss Emmerson, and those instructions would be known to many people. I do not know how Mr. Marshall Hall knew; but they are not facts about which there would be any special secrecy.