asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that, when an individual comes over from the Irish Free State to Scotland and becomes chargeable to a Scotch parish under the Poor Law, his expenses cannot be recovered from his Irish parish nor can the individual be deported to his home parish if it is situated in the Irish Free State; and if steps will be taken to remedy this state of matters?

I understand that, in consequence of the granting of Dominion status to the Irish Free State, parish councils in Scotland no longer have power to apply to the sheriff for a warrant authorising the removal of a person born within the territory of the Irish Free State who becomes chargeable to the poor rates in Scotland without having acquired a settlement or a status of irremovability under the Poor Law Acts. I am at present making inquiry into the situation thus created.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if the individual belonged to Northern Ireland, the power would exist to have him deported?

Yes, Sir; that is the case.