§ 31. Mr. G. OLIVERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that seven British-born subjects who were sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the United States of America for violation of the Espionage Act are now to be deported on completion of their sentences; and whether, in view of the fact that the law under which these men are to be deported was passed subsequent to their trial and conviction and that they have already suffered punishment for their offence, he can make any representations as to the withdrawal of the deportation order?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is that reports to this effect have been received concerning five British subjects. As regards the second part of the question, I have no information as to whether the law, under which the deportation of these men has been ordered, was passed subsequently to their trial and conviction or not. But the matter is not one in which His Majesty's Government can properly intervene.