§ Mr. LANSBURY(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what offence is charged against Louis Kibbener of Kirkcaldy, at present a prisoner confined in Brixton Prison, whether this man served a term of imprisonment which ended on 20th August for alleged offences during the general strike, whether it is now proposed to deport him, and, if so, for what reason, and will he also state what is the man's nationality, how long he has resided in the United Kingdom, whether he is married and has any children, and has the man been imprisoned or charged with any offences against the law except in connection with the Labour movement?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)I understand from the hon. Member that this question refers to Lewis Kitchener, whose real name is Luca Cecchini. This man is detained in Brixton Prison, under a deportation order made against him on the 6th September, during the completion of the arrangements for his removal from this country. He was convicted on the 31st May last of offences under two Emergency Regulations, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to three months' hard labour. The evidence showed that he had deliberately incited a crowd to break shop windows and loot the contents. I made a deportation order against him and have given directions for its enforcement in pursuance of my power under Article 12 (6) (c) of the Aliens Order 1920, to make such an order in any case in which I deem it to be conducive to the public good. Cecchini is now an Italian subject and has been in this country some 23 years. He is married and has four children. He was interned as an Austrian during the War, but had not, so far as I am aware, been otherwise imprisoned nor charged with any offences against the law before his conviction in May.
§ Mr. LANSBURYWill arrangements be made for the man's wife and children to accompany him? Is his wife an English woman or Scots woman?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have not had notice as to the last part of the question, and I do not know. I am always desirous of assisting in any wav I can, and if the wife and children desire to go, I will do all I can to help them.