HC Deb 17 December 1919 vol 123 cc442-3W
Mr. REID

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any information regarding the introduction into the Chamber by the French Government of a Bill dealing with aliens; and if he can state whether such Bill contains provisions for the expulsion or exclusion from French territory of German and other former enemy aliens?

Mr. SHORTT

I understand that a Bill dealing with aliens was introduced into-the French Chamber of Deputies by the French Government in June of this year and has been referred to a Committee. From a copy of the Bill which has been received at the Home Office, it appears that it contains no special provisions for the general deportation or exclusion from French territory of former enemy aliens. It does, however, reserve power to the Minister of the Interior to prohibit aliens from entering or remaining in districts to be prescribed by the authorities, and the object of this provision, according to the Memorandum prefixed to the Bill, is to enable access to the devastated regions to be forbidden, where necessary, to certain aliens whose nationality might render their presence there provocative of disturbance.