§ Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether in reference to the increase of £2,000 in the Estimates, Class IV., Vote 7, Sub-head AA, for expulsion of aliens, he will say how many aliens were expelled in the last two financial years and in the present financial period, respectively; and whether, as the Vote is increased threefold, three times as many aliens probably will be expelled this year?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe hon. Member refers, I think, to Class II., Vote 4, Sub-head AA. The estimate for the current financial year is based on the expenditure for the preceding year, which was considerably more than had been expected, and the increase in the estimate of expenditure cannot therefore be taken as a safe guide to the relative number of aliens to be expelled. I regret that I am not in a position to furnish the hon. Member with the figures he asks for. Owing to the special circumstances which have prevailed from the commencement of the War it has been found impracticable to publish any record which could be used for the purpose of comparison with past years.