§ 22. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary whether an order has been issued to a Russian violinist, M. Edvard Soermus, to leave this country by 31st July; and what is the reason for this order of expulsion?
Mr. HENDERSONThe position is that Mr. Soermus was removed from this country in 1919 under a deportation order, and that the effect of such an order is to require the alien to remain out of this country. At the beginning of this year I was strongly urged to allow him to come here for a month to visit his wife and children, and as the grounds put forward for allowing this seemed to me in all the circumstances to be exceptionally strong, I went the length of revoking the deportation order so as to make such a visit possible. Soermus came here for a few days in February, but had to leave at once to give some concerts abroad, so another visit of one month to see his family was authorised in April. He then started giving concerts, and an application was made to me to alter the conditions of his landing to enable him to stay here till 31st July. I acceded to this also, though it involved allowing a visit more than three times as long as, and for a different purpose from, that for which he was given leave to land: but I felt that I had really reached the limit of exceptional concessions which I could properly give in this case and intimated that I could not give him any more. If, however, Mr. Soermus will apply to me, giving his definite plans for the future, I am prepared to consider whether the public interest in his concert performances is sufficient to justify my postponing the date for the termination of his visit.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWhile appreciating my right hon. Friend's courtesy and consideration in this matter, will he state what is the objection to this violinist remaining here, and is he aware that he plays to working-class audiences and the receipts of his concerts go to support starving children in Leipzig?
§ Mr. FERGUSONIs it fair that this man should have been deported and the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) allowed to remain here?
Mr. HENDERSONThe expulsion was not carried out under me, and I have not even taken the trouble to inquire. If I receive an application for him to stay on here permanently I will look into the whole of the facts.
§ Sir HENRY CRAIKShould it not have been an essential point preceding all inquiries on the matter to investigate what was the reason for his original deportation?
§ Sir H. CRAIKNo.
Mr. HENDERSONThat is where we differ. When a man's wife and family are here, if the man wishes to come over for a temporary period, it seems to me to be a strong case for allowing him a temporary permit.
§ Mr. WALLHEADIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the wife of Soermus is an English woman who has lived in this country all her life, and that his child was born in this country; and further, that he was deported in 1918 under a general Order under which no charge was brought against any particular individual, because of the general condition of Russia?
§ Mr. BECKERIs this man not taking a job away from an English violinist?
Mr. HENDERSONIn reply to the last supplementary question, I do not think he has taken a job away from any Englishman. All the points stated by the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil (Mr. Wall-head) are strictly accurate.
§ 27. Mr. MILLSasked the Home Secretary if he can state the conditions under which French, Italian, German, Belgian or Polish artists, musicians and singers are allowed to enter this country and remain indefinitely, according to the success or failure of their performance; and whether, in view of the non-political conduct of M. Edvard Soermus, he will accord to him the privileges open to the nationals of other countries?
Mr. HENDERSONThe conditions depend on the circumstances of each case: in some cases of the kind indicated a Ministry of Labour permit may be necessary. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply just given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.
§ Mr. MILLSIs it within the right hon. Gentleman's knowledge that the deportation of this particular artist was in no way due to political activities of any kind?
Mr. HENDERSONI have already intimated to the House that, if I receive an application for a permanent residence, the whole of the circumstances will be taken into consideration.