HC Deb 11 April 1921 vol 140 cc709-10
9. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the mining population in that part of Scotland where attempts of sabotage at the mines and attacks on civilians have been most frequent contains a substantial proportion of foreigners; and will he advise the competent Government Department to exercise the powers it possesses to deport those who have been guilty of such acts?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is that the proportion of aliens is small. Taking the six counties, Ayrshire, Fifeshire, Lanarkshire, and the East, West and Mid-Lothians, I understand that the total mining population is about 131,900 and the number of alien miners registered with the police is.1,530, or slightly over one per cent. I am prepared to exercise in all proper cases my power to make deportation orders against aliens. So far, no aliens have been reported to me from Scotland, whether on conviction or otherwise, as having done anything in connection with the present trouble to justify their deportation.

Mr. J. JONES

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any information as to the number of aliens who are members of the Middle Classes Union?

Mr. SHORTT

No, Sir; I am unable to do so.

Colonel NEWMAN

Is he aware that by our rules we are not allowed to have aliens?

Mr. JONES

What about Whitechapel?

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