§ 50. Mr. Sorensenasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Greek seamen involved in an industrial dispute at certain British ports were deported from this country after they had commenced action in the British courts; and, in view of the great disabilities this imposed on them and their legal advisers, whether he will take steps to see that this is rectified and that similar action is avoided in future?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)No, Sir; my right hon. Friend was not previously aware that proceedings were pending, and no representations to this effect were made to his Department. I understand that some of the plaintiffs are at present at sea, and the position of those deported does not seem to differ materially from the position of those who are absent from this country in pursuance of their calling. As regards the second part of the Question, if a British court considers that their presence in this country is desirable in the interests of justice, my right hon. Friend will be prepared to grant facilities for their temporary return to this country, and he would, of course always be prepared to postpone deportation in any case where he was satisfied that there were proper grounds.
§ Mr. SorensenWill the hon. Member agree that it is most unfortunate that these men should have been deported while legal proceedings had been instituted, and does he not realise that it places the plaintiffs in a peculiar and difficult position?
§ Mr. PeakeI cannot agree that it is very unfortunate. As my right hon. Friend has previously stated, these men were engaged in activities which were prejudicial to the Allied war effort, and I cannot accept the view that the mere initiation of legal proceedings in this country, especially in a case where the jurisdiction of our courts was extremely doubtful, is sufficient ground for staying a deportation order.