HC Deb 21 November 1957 vol 578 cc545-7
21. Mr. N. Pannell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that immigrants from the Colonies and from the Republic of Eire together represented 70 per cent. of those convicted of living on immoral earnings in the Metropolitan Police area during 1956, he will now consider introducing legislation to permit the deportation of such criminals.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I regret that I am unable to add to the Answers which I gave to my hon. Friend on 28th February and 4th July last.

Mr. Pannell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that 60 per cent. of those convicted of living on immoral earnings are immigrants from Commonwealth countries which have power to deport the nationals of the United Kingdom? Does not he consider that such countries would freely concede our right to introduce reciprocal legislation with regard to such repulsive crimes?

Mr. Butler

First, we must get this matter in proportion. The 106 persons convicted in the Metropolitan Police District in 1956 of living on immoral earnings included 37 Maltese, 18 from West Africa, 11 from the Republic of Ireland, and 31 from the United Kingdom. Were we to depart from the traditional British rule that the Mother Country does not deport British people of this sort, we should be making a departure which would be inadvisable and too profound.

Mr. Dugdale

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that hon. Members on this side of the House welcome this statement? Is he aware that statistics can prove almost anything, and that if they are used in a smear campaign against people from Commonwealth countries it will not be approved of by hon. Members on either side of the House?

Mr. Pannell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no question of any smear campaign but that it is a question of bringing the facts before him? In view of the preponderance of this crime among colonial immigrants, does not my right hon. Friend consider that we should do something in the matter?

Mr. Butler

I realise that this is a very serious matter, and I am certain that my lion. Friend does not wish to introduce it as a smear campaign. There are certain traditions in this country about the rights of those who come into the country and those who go out, and if we depart from them we shall get into greater difficulties than if we take action in this matter.

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