§ 6. Mr. C. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the observations by Mr. Justice Hilbery in the Court of Criminal Appeal on 27th March, when sentencing a Nigerian who had already had 16 convictions to four years' imprisonment for living on the earnings of prostitution, to the effect that the law prevented deportation orders being made in such cases where it was desirable to do so, if he will reconsider the need to introduce legislation concerning deportation; and if he will make a statement.
§ 18. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to seek powers to deport Commonwealth immigrants who are convicted of crimes.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have nothing to add to the statement made by my hon. and learned Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State in the reply to the debate on 17th February.
§ Mr. OsborneWhen will my right hon. Friend have something to add? Does 1362 not he think that it is plainly stupid that we as a nation have not the power to deport men of this type from our midst? Is it not time that he took power to deport them?
§ Mr. ButlerThe question of deportation raises big issues, but not quite as big issues as that of immigration. I have indicated that the power would not involve a great many people in the course of a year. We must, however, take it in conjunction with the other problem which is in process of being considered very carefully by the Government as a whole and is awaiting the Prime Minister's return from his tour. I should not like to give the House the impression that we are likely to have legislation this Session. Meanwhile, I should like to listen to the views expressed by my hon. Friends.
§ Mr. Hector HughesIf the right hon. Gentleman decides to extend the law as indicated in the Question, will he take good care to ensure that he does it, not on a colour basis or on a basis which would discriminate against any particular class, but on a basis which will deal only with the criminality of the person involved? Is it not a fact that ample law already exists to deal with criminal aliens and their deportation to their own country? The extension sought in the Question would extend the law in a very undesirable way, perhaps to British citizens.
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir; we would never envisage legislation on a colour basis. It would have to be passed on general considerations of the Commonwealth. There is quite a case for deportation of undesirable characters, as we do in the case of foreigners. Nearly every Government in the Commonwealth or in the colonial system has powers of this sort. Therefore, it is not altogether an unreasonable proposal. We are simply not yet ready to come to a decision.