§ 15. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Attilio Messina, sentenced to prison for four years for living on the earnings of prostitution, has been living in this country for 25 years as an Italian citizen; and why this man was not deported, following his conviction at Bow Street in 1951.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThis man came here in 1934 with a British passport which was withdrawn in 1952 when it was discovered that he was not entitled to British nationality. A deportation order was made against him at that time, but proved unenforceable because the Italian Government did not then recognize him as an Italian national. I understand that they are now prepared to do so, and I am giving urgent consideration to the question of his deportation.
§ Dr. JohnsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that, despite what he said, I for one am somewhat disturbed? On the one hand, for reasons which one entirely respects, he forbids access to the country to innocuous persons like Mr. Slavko Sank—concerning whom I have written to my right hon. Friend—who wished to pay a short visit to his brother in Carlisle, while, on the other hand, more noxious citizens of the character of the man named in the Question stay with us for so long? Can my right hon. Friend give a further assurance that the nationality of this man and his brothers is entirely cleared up?
§ Mr. ButlerI admire the ingenuity of my hon. Friend in bringing in what amounts to an extra Question to those permitted on the Order Paper to hon. Members by putting to me a point, to which, of course, I will give my attention, while bringing it to the attention of any future Committee on Procedure. This question is a very serious one. This man's brother, Carmelo, has been deported to Italy and the man himself has just been sentenced to a considerable sentence of long duration.
The question arises of the attitude of the Home Office towards a man sentenced to a long sentence and to whom the Italian Government are now prepared to grant a passport. It is to this aspect of the case, which has not come up in quite this way before, namely, that of a man sentenced to a long sentence and whom I am in a position to be able to deport, that I wish to give a little more attention, in the light of the precedents already created.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the right hon. Gentleman take it from me at least, whatever other hon. Members may think, that he will exercise very great wisdom if, instead of maintaining this notorious criminal at public expense, he gets rid of him at once?
§ Mr. ButlerI am not at all surprised to hear that reaction in the British Parliament. That sort of thing I shall consider, also.