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.SOHO TRAFFIC IN
HUSBANDS
Refugees' Misuse of
Marriage Laws
Scotland Yard has launched another
campaign against the "mock marriage"
system whereby alien women obtain
British nationality by becoming the
wives of "husbands of convenience."
The Britons involved are paid substan
tial fees to go to the altar. They are
expected to separate from their brides
for good immediately the marriage
ceremony is over.
Not very much has been heard of
this traffic for the past 12 months or
so. but lately. It has revived, owing to
the large number of women from
various parts of the Continent who are
now flocking to Britain. and who wish
to avoid the risk of deportation in the
future.
A new squad has been set up at
Scotland Yard to carry out a thorough
investigation of the "mock marriage"
system. and the result may be looked
for in the police courts.
Officers composing this squad have
been chosen for their kno'vledge of
-foreign languages, and their acquaint
ance with Soho and other 'aliens'
quarters of London,
It is in Soho that this trade mostly
flourishes, and it is here that several
agents have set themselves up to' ro
vide all .foreign women with British
husbands almost immediately on their
arrival in Britain-and in return for a
handsome fee.
Payment of £35
In the past it has been mainly
French and Belgian women who have
been thus supplied with "husbands."
But nowadays it is German women
refugees who are mainly in the market
for husbands.
How profitable these "marriages" are
to the men was made clear during a
recent case at the Old Bailey. when it
was stated that an unemployed man
was paid £35 and siven a suit of
clothes for "marrying"' a German
Jewess so that she mignt acquire .Bri
tish nationality.
As the man was proved to have
committed bigamy, he received four
months' imprisonment.
During this trial it was stated that
ihere is a well-known organisation in
Bloomsbury where such marriages are
arranged almost daily, and the police
believe that this is not the only one
of its kind now in existence.
Some months ago there seemed to
be a possibility that the supply of
"husbands" would run short.
Then thl discovery was made that
C,-riots were equally eligible, since
they are British subjects. Moreover,
it is not such an easy matter to trace
previous marriages to them.
Amendment of Law
While the new police drive is going
forward, and is expected to produce
good results, the Home Office is con
sidering whether legislation to deal
with these marriages of convenience
can be introduced.
The Law Officers of the Crown. how
ever. are extr, y dubious, according
to "Reynolds' News." over the possi
bility of evolving an Act which would
deal with one specific class of marriage
alone.
It has,. however, been suggested that
the present law might be so amended
as to render women of undesirable
chlracter or antecedents liable to do
portation whether married to British
husbands or not.
It is probable that something on
these lines will ultimately be proposed
to the -louse of Commons.
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