§ 18. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Phyllis Grace Canals, a British-born woman, deported in 1926; whether he is aware that this woman had married an undesirable alien; that she is now left stranded in the British hospital in Paris after being stabbed by her husband; that her father and sister in this country have offered themselves as guarantors on her behalf if she is permitted to return to this country; and whether he will have the circumstances of this case re-examined with a view to cancellation of the deportation order?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThis case is well known to me. She has twice married an alien and both husbands were undesirable. The second husband was deported by me in 1926, and I made a similar Order in regard to the wife. She had been convicted many times for solicitation and similar offences. On representations made to me, I gave her another chance, but warned her of the consequences if she were again convicted. She was again convicted three times 680 within four months; accordingly she was deported. The father had offered to look after her before her deportation, but she did not live respectably. She has lived as a prostitute in Paris for some months. The case appears to be hopeless, but, if the hon. Member can help me in any way to get her into better surroundings, he will not find me hard in the matter.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs it the case that both the British and the Spanish consuls in Paris have recommended that this woman should be given another chance, in the circumstances in which she finds herself?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThey rather want to get her away from Paris, but, until I can be satisfied that she is not coming back on to the streets of London as a prostitute, and that she will be well cared for, I do not propose to let her come back into this country.