§ 22. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Roper, of Seaford, Sussex, who was fined £25 by the county bench for having failed to notify to the police that a Dutch tutor taught in his school; whether he is aware that the offence was of a technical nature and that Mr. Roper has two sons serving in the Army; and whether he will secure some mitigation of Mr. Roper's fine?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir J. Simon)I have made inquiry into this case, and wish to make it plain that there is no question of Mr. Roper's loyalty and good faith; but it is necessary to enforce strictly the law as to aliens, especially in sea coast towns, and I regret that I can find no sufficient ground for recommending any interference with the sentence.
§ Mr. KINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great many people, even of high intelligence, fail to see that aliens are not necessarily enemy aliens, and that this distinction is not generally understood, even by people of high education?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am aware that many in the past have not realised that idea, but I hope that this will help them to do so in the future.