§ 26. Mr. N. Pannellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Commonwealth immigrants convicted of living on immoral earnings in the Metropolitan Police district in 1963 were recommended for deportation; and in how many cases the recommendations were confirmed.
§ Mr. BrookeI received 11 such recommendations in respect of Commonwealth immigrants and two in respect of citizens of the Irish Republic. Two of the recommendations were subsequently quashed on appeal; in nine cases deportation orders were made, and in the remaining two I decided not to act on the recommendation.
§ Mr. PannellIs my right hon. Friend aware that the incidence of this crime is increasing alarmingly; and that, in 1963, of 187 convictions, no less than 101 concerned Commonwealth and Irish immigrants? Is it not preposterous that very few of them are liable to deportation? Will he consider an amendment of the law to permit the deportation of immigrants who have been resident in this country for five years and more?
§ Mr. BrookeIf I remember rightly, my hon. Friend sought to introduce a 1510 Bill on that subject under the Ten Minute Rule some months ago, and the House did not give him leave to bring it in. Quite frankly, my difficulty is that after five years residence here an alien can apply for naturalisation in this county and, if he gets it, he is immune from deportation. I should feel some considerable concern if a Commonwealth citizen who had been here longer than five years found himself liable to deportation.
§ Mr. PannellIs it not necessary to reduce the incidence of this crime, without such refinement of argument?
§ Mr. BrookeI do not think that this is a refinement of argument. I believe that when the Commonwealth Immigrants Act has been in operation for five years my hon. Friend's difficulty will be removed, because I think that most of these miscreants will have been deported before the end of the five years.