HC Deb 17 March 1960 vol 619 cc1466-7
30. Mr. N. Pannell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has now completed his study of the views of the Governments of Commonwealth and Colonial Territories regarding the deportation of their nationals convicted in this country of certain offences; and with what result.

Mr. R. A. Butler

These consultations have not disclosed a unanimity of view, and, while the situation will continue to be watched, early legislation is not in contemplation.

Mr. Pannell

Is my right hon. Friend aware that of 138 convictions for living on immoral earnings in the Metropolitan Police area in 1959, no fewer than 76, or over 50 per cent., were attributable to colonial immigrants? Will he give an assurance that he will not be deflected from his responsibility for law and order in this country out of consideration for certain Colonies which are unwilling to receive back those nationals who have forfeited all claim to the hospitality of this country through committing such crimes?

Mr. Butler

I have not the exact figures before me but I will note the figures given by my hon. Friend. As for the possibility of legislation, there is no unanimity in our consultations, and there is a good deal of opinion here that the old tradition of this country should not be broken. For myself, I think that there would be certain advantages in this step, but I think we ought to proceed with a certain degree of agreement. I do not think that at the moment any great violence is being done to the prosecution of law and order.