§ 28. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Advisory Committee presided over by Mr. Justice Younger act upon any general rules or principles in granting exemption from deportation to former enemy aliens, or whether they consider 1541 each case separately and apart from any general rules or principles; and whether he will state what general rules and principles, if any, the Advisory Committee have adopted for their guidance in granting such exemptions?
§ Mr. SHORTTI can only answer this question by courtesy of the Committee, which consists of Mr. Justice Younger and five hon. Members of this House. The judge has been good enough to inform me as follows:
The Committee deal with each ease according to the justice of that case as they see it, taking into account the considerations which seem to them to be relevant.
In all cases where the views of the police and military authorities have not already been expressed, the Committee make their recommendations only after consultation with these authorities.
Further than this, the Committee are unable to set forth, in a way which would not be misleading, any general rules or principles upon which they proceed. They find that they cannot rely upon any general rules or principles in such a way as to dispense with the necessity of considering each case in detail on its merits.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERHas the practice of the Advisory Committee which existed before the present one been altered in any way, and were there not certain general rules or principles adopted by that Committee in their decisions?
§ Mr. SHORTTI cannot add anything to the answer which I have already given.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry into this matter having regard to its importance and to the pledges given by the Prime Minister and other Ministers at the last election?
§ Mr. SHORTTI will ask further if my hon. Friend wishes.