§ 25. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that Mr. J. M. Reimunto, sentenced to a month's imprisonment at Avonmouth as a stowaway, has now been taken back to the ship where he will work while she is at sea, but that when the ship is in port he will be looked in his cabin; and, in view of the fact that no other country will receive him, if he will allow this man, when he returns to this country, to land and remain.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeThis man stowed away in Norfolk, Virginia, and was formally refused leave to land when the ship arrived at Avonmouth. On the expiry of his sentence, the ship's owners were directed to remove him and on 30th October he sailed for the United States. It is normal international practice to return stowaways to the countries whence they came. It is not established that no other country will receive Mr. Reimundo and the last part of the Question does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this unfortunate man served a sentence of a month's imprisonment for stowing away, that at the end of a month he was taken down to a ship in the docks, that the ship refused to take him, that he was taken back to prison where he served another fortnight, and that he was then taken again to a ship and put aboard? This man will have to work aboard the ship, and, while he is in a foreign port, he will be imprisoned and a guard put on him, and the shipowner will have to pay for the guard, I ask the Minister whether this is 1145 British justice and whether he will do something to receive this stateless man into this country?
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeOne cannot get into this country simply by stowing away.
§ Mr. AwberyHe is a stateless person and should be taken in.