§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether failure to register as 2028W an alien is a sufficient reason for deportation; and, if so, how many aliens have so far been deported for failure to register?
§ Mr. SHORTTConviction for failure to register is a ground on which a Court may recommend the deportation of an alien; but no deportation order is actually made without full consideration, not only of the facts leading to the conviction, but of all the circumstances of the case, such as the alien's character and antecedents (including previous convictions, if any) and his ties in this country. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Home Secretary whether Philip Matling, a Polish boy of 19 years, was sentenced at Thames Street Police Court to two months' hard labour and to deportation for failing to register as an alien; whether Matling pleaded ignorance of the law and complained of brutal ill-treatment at the hands of the police in Marlborough Street Police Station after his arrest; whether an inquiry has been made or will be made into the alleged ill-treatment at the police station; and whether he can see his way to review the sentence in view of the youth and apparent ignorance of the prisoner?
§ Mr. SHORTTThis alien appears to be a Russian, not a Pole. He made no complaint of ill-treatment either when in the custody of the police or at the Police Court, and I can find no grounds for the suggestion. I have considered the case carefully. Matling had been previously arrested and convicted for disorderly behaviour in Hyde Park, and as at present advised I see no reason for dissenting from the sentence passed by the learned Magistrate.