§ Sir A. MARKHAMasked the Home Secretary why 170 aliens were allowed to settle in the house of one Father Hopkins, at Alton, fourteen miles from Aldershot, and the reason given for their coming to live close to a military camp; why these premises last month were surrounded at night by two squadrons of Cavalry and a detachment of Infantry armed with ball ammunition, seeing that fifty constables, in addition to the military, were present to remove these men from Father Hopkins' premises; will he say whether armed resistance was expected from these aliens; and what is the police record of Father Hopkins?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe aliens at Beech Abbey, Alton, were seamen who had been serving in British ships, and in dealing with whom, when they were thrown out of employment at the outbreak of War, Father Hopkins' establishment at the Abbey was of the greatest assistance to the Government. Some time ago the military authorities formed the opinion that it was no longer desirable to keep the aliens there, and, having decided to remove them, took such steps as they thought proper for the purpose. I have no reason to think that armed resistance was expected. As regards the last sentence of the question, I know of nothing which would afford any ground for refusing the resources which Father Hopkins was able and ready to place at the disposal of the Government in the emergency.