§ 11. Colonel Sir ARTHUR HOLBROOKasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of a Japanese student who was arrested for failing to register under the Aliens Act, and in whose possession was found a quantity of documents prohibited in this country, and also his credential from the Communist party in America transferring his membership to that party in Russia; that this student was sentenced to imprisonment and recommended for deportation; and that, on appeal, the Recorder of Liverpool, while upholding the conviction, substituted a fine for the sentence of imprisonment and cancelled the recommendation; and whether it is now proposed to take any steps to deport this student, who was proved to have gone straight to Communist headquarters in Liverpool upon landing?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI presume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to the case of Kawashima, the circumstances of which are substantially as described in the question. I do not propose to allow this alien to remain in the United Kingdom, but in view of the action taken by the higher Court with reference to the recommendation for his deportation I have decided to afford him an opportunity of leaving the country under his own arrangements, which I am informed he proposes to do.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDo we understand that the mere fact that a foreigner belongs to the Communist party is a reason for deporting him?
§ Mr. HARRISWas it not definitely established that this Japanese did not belong to the Communist party?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSNo "mere fact" is taken as a cause for deportation. I have considered the whole facts of the case. With regard to the second question, it was not absolutely determined one way or the other. There was a good deal of information found in his possession, and it was believed that he was a member of the Communist party. At all events he is desirous of leaving the country.
§ Mr. N. MACLEANIf the right hon. Gentleman himself were arrested would there not be found in his possession quite a lot of Communist literature which would render him liable to the same thing?