HC Deb 05 November 1934 vol 293 cc650-1
86. Mr. ALBERY

asked the Home Secretary in what circumstances foreign seamen were arrested on board the steamship "Mount Ossa"; and whether their deportation resulted in any expenditure of public funds?

Sir J. GILMOUR

On arrival of the steamship "Mount Osso" at Brixham on the 7th August, the master of the ship applied to the immigration officer for leave to discharge 14 members of the crew who, owing to a dispute about wages, desired to leave the ship and return home. Leave to land for repatriation was given on the usual conditions. The men were not arrested, but I understand that the master and the agents arranged with the police to provide an escort to accompany the men to Southampton, whence they embarked on the following day for Havre. The cost of the escort was paid by the shipping agents, and no part of it fell upon public funds.