§ Colonel R. PEELasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that registration forms still have to be filled up by visitors to hotels in many parts of the country; for how long it is intended to continue this practice; and what is the approximate annual cost of this apparently out of date regulation?
§ Mr. SHORTTArticle 7 of the Aliens Order, 1920, requires registers to be kept of all aliens staying at hotels, and for this purpose every person (whether an alien or not) staying at an hotel may be required by the hotelkeeper to sign a statement as to his nationality and, if an alien, to furnish and sign a statement of certain other particulars prescribed by the Order. The Article applies to the whole of the United Kingdom and not merely to certain parts of it. I do not agree that it is out-of-date, and I am1484W satisfied that its continuance is desirable. No public expenditure is involved, and the cost to hotelkeepers is negligible.