§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of lunatics deported from America into Ireland during the year 1912 and during the present year; whether the American law provides a fine for the steamship companies which carry and land lunatics in America; and whether any arrangement can be arrived at between the American and British Governments to prevent the deportation of Irish-Americans who have spent the best years of their life in America?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed that forty-eight lunatics were deported from America to Ireland during the year 1912 and thirty-nine during the present year. It is understood that the American Immigration Commissioners have power to require a steamship company to convey back to Europe at the company's expense any passenger whom the Commissioners may reject under the American law as an undesirable immigrant, but I cannot say whether the American law provides for any further penalty on a steamship company. The question of making a representation to the United States Government on the subject of the deportation of lunatics to Ireland has been under consideration, but it has been decided that no good purpose could be gained by raising the question with the United States Government at the present time.