§ 61. Mr. SCURRasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Michael Prooth, a prisoner serving a sentence of five months' imprisonment for offences against the Emergency Powers Regulations, was taken by the police from Pentonville Prison on Wednesday, 14th July, and conveyed to Hay's Wharf, 2092 London, and placed on board a steamer bound for Russia, and upon refusal of the master of the ship to accept him as a passenger was re-conveyed to Leman Street Police Station and afterwards to Pentonville; if he is aware that this prisoner has a wife and children who wish to accompany him when he is deported after serving his sentence; and why no intimation of the removal on the 14th instant was given to his wife?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for Cleveland (Sir Park Goff) regarding this case. The action referred to was taken in pursuance of the recommendation of the Court that the man should be deported from the United Kingdom. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I was and am prepared to afford all facilities to enable the man's family to join him in Russia, and will communicate with the hon. Member on their behalf as soon as the arrangements for his departure are completed.
§ Mr. SCURRCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the wife was not communicated with, as she did not expect the deportation to take place before 1st October, when the sentence expires and will she be communicated with in the future?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe possibility of removing this man is being taken up with the representatives of the Soviet Government. Meanwhile I found a Russian ship, but the master of the vessel refused to take him.