§ 7. Sir BASIL PETOasked the Home Secretary whether he can state the reason 2018 why Anton Opulski, a Russian subject, who came to this country in 1913 and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour in May, 1926, at Pontypool, Newport, for seditious speaking and recommended for deportation, has been permitted to remain in this country; whether he is aware that he is now living at Parracombe, North Devon, where he has to report weekly to the police; and whether he will take steps to secure his immediate deportation to Russia?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am aware of the facts of this case which are substantially as stated in the question, except the description of the man as a Russian subject. The position is not, however, that Opulski has been permitted to remain in this country, but that it has so far proved impossible to ascertain to what country he belongs. Until this is done in any case deportation cannot be enforced.
§ Mr. WALLHEADIs the Home Secretary aware that this man served in the British Army, and he is in receipt of a full pension for loss of health; that he has been in Devonshire recuperating, and is not likely to live very long, and has already made a draft of his will? Is he aware that this man is suffering in this way from the result of Army service, and that I have here two medals which were awarded to him for service in the British Army?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now giving information.
§ Mr. MAXTONIs the Home Secretary aware of these facts, and is he prepared to proceed with the sentence of deportation in face of them, once his nationality has been settled?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am prepared to take into consideration representations from any quarter of the House before deciding on deportation. I am quite prepared to consider anything on this question which is put before me. All the information I have at present is that this man was sentenced to three months' imprisonment last year for seditious speaking, and was recommended for deportation. I am bound to take that recommendation into consideration.
§ Mr. MAXTONThe point I want information about is whether the Home Secretary is quite unaware of these facts as raised by the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil (Mr. Wallhead) and are not they rather important considerations?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have already told the hon. Member that I will take into consideration any information or representations made to me before I finally decide the question of deportation, but with great respect I cannot argue the reasons which finally cause me to come to a decision in this or any other matter.
§ Mr. MAXTONThe right hon. Gentleman is not answering my question. I am asking if he has had before him the considerations which the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydvil has mentioned, and if they are facts?
§ Mr. WALLHEADI am not asking the right hon. Gentleman to come to a decision now, but I should like him to take into consideration the honourable testimonials of this man's service to this country. I suggest that the hon. Member who asked this question should make himself conversant with facts of this description.
§ Sir B. PETOIs the Home Secretary aware that this man's honourable service consisted in being conscripted with a large number of other aliens into a Labour Corps at the end of the War?
§ Mr. W. THORNEMay I ask whether any hon. Member is entitled to call another man a Russian subject unless he is absolutely certain that he is a Russian subject?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI do not know that it is a libel to call a man a, Russian subject.
§ Mr. THORNEIf anyone called me a German and I was not a German, I should call him a liar.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis matter does not arise out of the answer given by the Home Secretary.