§ Mr. J. DAVISONasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that Sir Basil Thomson, head of the special department 2636W of the Criminal Investigation Department, has been making an enquiry with reference to a Mr. Nuorteva, a Russian subject, now staying in the United Kingdom; that in spite of the fact that this gentleman's passport was vised by the aliens control officer at Liverpool, Sir Basil Thomson immediately stated that he should be deported, and that, during the course of a cross-examination, Sir Basil Thomson stated to Mr. Nuorteva, opinions respecting the Soviet Government which falls far outside the competence of the department with which he is nominally charged, and which would appear to encroach upon the competence of the Foreign Office; having regard to these facts, will he investigate this matter, and if satisfied that Sir Basil Thomson has overstepped the limits of his duties as head of his department, will steps be taken to instruct this officer that in future he will not be permitted to exceed the limit of his function?
§ Sir J. BAIRDMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary had all the facts of this case under consideration. The fact that an alien has been given leave to land at a port in this country does not afford him protection against his liability subsequently to be deported from this country if circumstances are held to justify his deportation; and in view of the circumstances brought to the Home Secretary's notice by Sir Basil Thomson, and particularly in view of the known activities of Mr. Nuorteva in another country, he decided to make a Deportation Order, under which Mr. Nuorteva will embark on the first available vessel for Russia. Sir Basil Thomson informs me that he did not submit the alien to cross-examination nor express opinions respecting the Soviet Government. He kept the Home Secretary fully informed of his proceedings, and, in my opinion, he did not exceed the limits of his duties in this matter.