§ 85. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary what were the offences charged against the Russians Edward Getz and Joseph Kilnas, on which he recommended them for deportation?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSAs explained in the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member last Thursday, I made deportation orders in the case of the two aliens referred to because, after careful consideration, I was satisfied that it was conducive to the public good to do so. In accordance with the powers entrusted to me by Parliament, it is within my discretion, if I am so satisfied, to make a deportation order, although no offence against the law may have been committed. I am not required to state the. reasons for my decision, nor do I think it would be desirable for me to do so; but I may add that in any such case I consider carefully the whole circumstances and weigh the public advantage against any possible hardship to the individual concerned.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI do not question the right hon. Gentleman's power, but why does he object to telling me what the offences were?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI really do not see why I should make a personal favour to the hon. and gallant Gentleman.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI need hardly tell the right hon. Gentleman that I meant the House, of course, and not me personally.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo, I say I do not think it would be in accordance with the public interest to give the reasons why these powers are exercised in any case.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it the fact that the right hon. Gentleman can issue his ukase and pick out anyone who happens to be a foreigner and send him out of the country?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThat is exactly the power which Parliament has entrusted to me. It remains for me to exercise those powers in such a way as to secure the continued confidence of Parliament.
§ Mr. MACLEANIf the Home Secretary has the powers he says he possesses, will he not exercise them somewhat more drastically than he is doing with regard to those foreigners who are carrying on the dope traffic and the procuring of foreign women into this country?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI should be most grateful to the hon. Gentleman if he would give me details of any of those cases. I have during the current year deported several cases of dope traffic and of prostitution traffic as well.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs there any way by which we can challenge the action of the Home Secretary other than across the Floor of the House of Commons, and is he to be exempt from our criticism because he says he is not required to give us an account of the deeds done in the body?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member can move to reduce his salary, or even to extinguish it.