HC Deb 09 May 1939 vol 347 cc314-5W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Home Secretary whether he is in a position to state what steps he proposes to take to prevent persons landing at British ports whom the police of Eire and this country suspect of being associated with those who are concerned with bomb or other outrages in the United Kingdom?

Sir S. Hoare

I am in entire agreement with my hon. and gallant Friend as to the importance of doing everything that is practicable to prevent persons coming into this country for criminal purposes; but the information I have been able to obtain shows that the main difficulty lies in identifying such persons rather than in any lack of powers to deal with any who can be identified. If anyone is identified on arrival as being concerned in criminal activities, there is no failure on the part of the police to take appropriate action.