HC Deb 21 March 1922 vol 152 cc223-4
43. Viscount CURZON

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a second-class passenger recently arrived at Southampton with a large quantity of Communist literature, together with literature of a still worse type; whether, after all this had been confiscated, he was allowed to continue his journey to London; and, if so, whether he can explain why this man was not instantly deported?

Mr. SHORTT

I presume that the question refers to the case of a first-class passenger who landed at Southampton on the 27th February from the United States of America, and was required to give up certain literature in his possession; and I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer which I gave to questions addressed to me in the case by the hon. Members for East Leyton and Govan on the 7th instant. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, the passenger is a British subject and I have therefore no power to deport him from the United Kingdom.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Can any literature be worse than Communist literature?

Mr. SHORTT

I have not seen any myself.

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