§ 48. Mr. Manderasked the Home Secretary whether he is now able to state the progress made by the special tribunals which are reviewing all cases of German, Austrian, and Czechoslovakian refugees; and, in view of the great anxiety of many of these to render service to Great Britain, will he make a public statement setting out clearly to what office and address they should apply provisionally for service, military or civil?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe tribunals are now starting their examinations. I realise the anxiety felt by many of the refugees to whom the hon. Member refers, but, as previously stated, the first step must be to pass their cases under examination by the tribunals. After this has been done it will be open to those who are exempted from the restrictions applicable to enemy aliens to offer their services to the Defence Forces or as voluntary workers for any kind of Civil Defence service for which they may be suitable.
§ Mr. ManderWill they be informed to whom they should address themselves when they have been passed by the tribunals?
§ Sir J. AndersonI thought the intention was that they should apply in the same way as other people, but if there is any lack of information on that point, I will see what can be done.
§ Colonel WedgwoodWill their cases be examined in writing or must they be present before the tribunals?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am not quite certain, but I think the tribunals are given a certain discretion.
§ Sir R. W. SmithMay I ask the Government to remember that there is a very large number of people of British nationality who are anxious to serve their country, and will he see that their services are employed before those of foreigners residing in this country?
Miss RathboneSeeing that Czechoslovakian refugees have not to go before the tribunals, is there any necessity for 1477 these Czechoslovakian refugees to await the decision of the tribunals before applying for work?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe original question applied only to those aliens whose cases come before the tribunals.