§ 36. Sir Robert Youngasked the Home Secretary the number of British-born women whose husbands are aliens and internees and the number of alien women, married to British citizens, who are at liberty on the strength of British nationality by marriage; and whether, in the latter case, the loyalty of these women has been subject to investigation by the police?
§ Mr. PeakeAs regards British-born women married to Germans or Austrians, the figures asked for could only be extracted by a laborious examination of each individual file, but the Tribunals and Regional Advisory Committees were instructed that if the husband were placed in Category B, the wife ought, generally speaking, to be placed in the same category. Consequently when all the Germans and Austrians in Category B were interned, a number of British-born wives were included. As regards women who before marriage to British subjects were aliens, the possession of British nationality does not prevent appropriate action being taken whenever this is necessary for security purposes. The police have drastic power to make searches and to detain temporarily pending further inquiries any suspected persons—regardless of nationality—and if necessary to recommend that orders be made under the Defence Regulations for the detention of such persons.
Viscountess AstorIn dealing with aliens married to British citizens, would that apply to men in the Diplomatic Service who have been married to women born in enemy countries? How would it affect them?
§ Mr. PeakeI do not think I understand the hon. Lady's Question, but I presume that it relates to British-born women married to aliens possessing foreign diplomatic status.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Lady had better put the Question down.