65. Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to obtain the extradition from Austria of Mr. G. L. Bevan; and whether, in view of the widespread distress resulting from the operations with which he was associated, all possible measures will be followed to secure his return to this country.
§ Mr. SHORTTThe usual procedure has been followed and every effort is being made to secure Mr. Bevan's return at the earliest possible date. Some delay is inevitable because the Act of 1870 precludes any prisoner extradited from a foreign country from being tried in this country for any offence committed before his surrender except such as may be proved by the facts on which his surrender was granted. It is therefore obviously undesirable that Bevan's extradition from Austria should be effected till the Austrian Government has been put in possession of evidence relating to all the charges on which it is desired to try him in this country and care is necessary in selecting and formulating such charges, but it is hoped that the evidence will be completed in the course of this week.
Sir F. HALLMay we assume that there will be no extraordinary difficulty placed in the way by the Austrian authorities?
§ Mr. SHORTTI have no reason to suppose that the Austrian authorities will throw any difficulties in the way.