45 and 46. Mr. G. MURRAYasked the Prime Minister (1) whether the Government will consider the desirability of introducing legislation immediately enabling the Home Secretary to order the deportation from the United Kingdom of any alien of any nationality whose continued residence in this country is, in the opinion of the Home Secretary, undesirable; and (2) whether the Government will consider the desirability of introducing legislation immediately preventing for a fixed period of years the entrance into the United Kingdom for purposes of residence of citizens of those countries with whom we have lately been at war?
§ 59. Sir HERBERT NIELDasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce an Aliens Bill which shall effectively deal with the repatriation and exclusion of enemy aliens; and whether he will undertake that legislation shall be presented immediately and pressed forward so that it may be effective by the time that a Treaty of Peace is signed?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)It is proposed at an early date to introduce a Bill dealing with this subject, and in the meantime the special powers in force during the War are being used.
47. Mr. G. MURRAYasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to deport to their respective countries all aliens who are at present interned in the United Kingdom; and, if not, will he state the nature of the discrimination that is to be shown?
§ Mr. SHORTTAs I stated on Thursday last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Twickenham, the general policy is that of general repatriation of interned enemies, and this is now being carried out as quickly as shipping facilities permit. If any are allowed to remain here it will only be for reasons of an exceptional character.