§ 54. Sir Charles Cayzerasked the Home Secretary whether, when aliens are sentenced to deportation but no country will take them, the police compel them to report regularly so as to keep some measure of control over them; and, if so, how often these men have to report?
§ Sir S. HoareIt is a general requirement of the Aliens Order that every alien who has been in the country for three months must register with the police and report every change of residence. An alien may also be required by order of the Secretary of State to report to the police at stated intervals. This power is exercised when it is deemed necessary, but its use is now usually confined to cases where it is desired to keep an alien under special supervision pending investigation of identity and nationality with a view to deportation.
§ Sir C. CayzerIn the case of aliens whose nationality is not positively proved, is it not possible to return them to the country whence they came to this country?
§ Sir S. HoareThe trouble is that they have no country to which we can return them.
§ 56. Sir C. Cayzerasked the Home Secretary whether, in order to prevent the smuggling into this country of aliens by the crews of foreign vessels, it is the practice of the police in the dockland areas in London and other parts to check the passports of all known aliens from time to time; and, if not, will he take steps to have this done?
§ Sir S. HoareTo check the passports of persons who are known to be aliens would not assist in the discovery of individuals who enter the country surreptitiously and succeed for a time in concealing their foreign nationality. In addition to the careful steps taken at the ports to prevent such surreptitious entries, the police pursue active inquiries whenever there is ground for suspecting the bona fides of a person who represents himself to be a British subject.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsAre we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the higher ranks of Transatlantic criminals can get through?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir, certainly not.