§ 25. Major GLYNasked the Home Secretary if he will state how many aliens since 1920, and of what nationalities, have remained in this country, having failed 623 to pass the immigration regulations of the United States Government and been brought back to a British port by the shipping company which accepted them as intending emigrants, and the Governments of their countries of origin having refused to give these people permission to return to their own countries; what steps the Home Office propose to take: and what is the cost of maintaining these people in this country?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe aliens to whom the hon. and gallant Member refers are no doubt those—commonly known as transmigrants—whom the shipping countries carry through this country to the United States of America. No cost to this country is involved, as the companies are under bond to maintain and control these aliens to my satisfaction on their transit either way through the country. I find that of 1,417 transmigrants rejected in the United States of America in the four years 1021–1924 all have left this country again, except three, who have been allowed to remain here, and 23 left over from 1924, who have still to be disposed of. I am not aware that any aliens rejected in the United States of America have been refused admission to their own countries.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESAm I to understand that the shipping companies will not be allowed in future to dump these transmigrants within these shores?
Sir W. JOYNSON HICKSThey are not allowed to do it now. The figures I have given show that all of them left this country except three, who were permitted to remain here, perhaps by the hon. Member, and 23 left over from last year.