HC Deb 19 February 1914 vol 58 cc1137-8
Mr. AMERY

I beg to ask the Home Secretary a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether Mr. Poutsma, who was recently deported from South Africa and claims to be a naturalised British subject, is a British subject in the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether the right hon. Gentleman would be entitled to refuse him admission to this country as an industrial alien?

Mr. McKENNA

I can only repeat the answer I gave yesterday to a similar question. I have no information sufficient to enable me to say whether Mr. Poutsma is a British subject of the United Kingdom. However that may be, he is not, so far as I am aware, liable to be refused admission to the United Kingdom under the Aliens Act.

Mr. AMERY

If it should turn out that Mr. Poutsma is only a naturalised subject in South Africa and not in the United Kingdom, will the provisions of the Aliens Act then apply?

Mr. McKENNA

No, Sir. I have endeavoured to make it clear that whether he is a British subject in Great Britain or in South Africa, or anywhere else, under no circumstances would the provisions of the Aliens Act apply.

Mr. PRINGLE

Would it not be well, before hon. Members put questions on this point, for them to read the Act?

Mr. McKENNA

It might be.