§ 34. Mr. N. Pannellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement regarding his consultations with other Commonwealth and Colonial Governments concerning the deportation from this country of commonwealth and colonial immigrants convicted of certain offences.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerConsultations have now been completed, and the views of the oversea Governments are being studied.
§ Mr. PannellWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this matter has been under discussion for more than a year? Will he publish the names of those Governments who oppose such a measure and also give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will not be deterred from introducing what they consider to be commonsense legislation by the opposition of one or two small territories?
§ might be drawn from these figures which would be misleading unless he also included in the statement that he proposes to circulate the figures for the year 1948? Would he therefore include them as well?
§ Mr. VosperI think that both my hon. Friends had better look at the figures, but they should bear in mind what my hon. Friend says about the deductions that may be made.
§ Following are the figures:
§ Mr. ButlerIt would not be usual to publish inter-Governmental exchanges of this sort. I must say that the consultations now reveal that there is not a unanimity of view. This power is one that involves considerable departure from the practice of our country. I think that further consideration will be necessary, and I should be glad to see my hon. Friend and to discuss the matter with him.