§ 11. Mr. ANNESLEY SOMERVILLEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received complaints of the treatment of British subjects in the United States of America who have outstayed the time allowed in their passports; whether he has information of the numbers of British men and women now imprisoned in the United States for infringement of passport or immigration regulations; whether he is aware that they are confined with common criminals; and whether His Majesty's Government proposes to take any action in the matter?
Mr. A. HENDERSONNo complaints have been received at the Foreign Office during the last two years from British subjects who have rendered themselves liable to deportation from the United States by outlaying the period of their temporary visitor's visa. I have no information as to the number of British subjects held for deportation in United States immigration stations or gaols, but most of these have rendered themselves liable to heavy penalties including a term of imprisonment by effecting illegal entry into the United States. If arrested in a place where there is no United States immigration station, deportees are necessarily confined in the local gaols, but I understand that ordinarily they are separated from common criminals. I am always ready to take up with the United States authorities any individual case as to which I am furnished with reliable information, and to make such representations as the merits of the case may justify.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEMay I ask whether any warning is given to British subjects of the penalties they may incur if they outstay their passport permission?
Mr. HENDERSONI am not aware that any warning is given, but I should imagine it would be stated on the passport.