HC Deb 04 February 1915 vol 69 cc130-1
40. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked how many aliens residing in prohibited areas on the East Coast between Edinburgh and London have been arrested; how many released since Parliament rose; and by whose orders such arrests and releases took place?

Mr. McKENNA

I cannot give the number of arrests in the prohibited areas; the figures would have to be collected from the police, and they would not be of much value, as many of the aliens removed from the prohibited areas under the Aliens Restriction Order have afterwards been interned from other districts. The War Office informs me that the whole number released from 27th November to 1st February is 1,916; of these only two or three have been allowed to return to prohibited areas. The arrests in England and Wales were made on general instructions issued by me on the authority of the War Office. The War Office alone give the orders for all the releases.

43. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked what is the number of alien enemies now in the London area who are at large; the number of alien enemies now in prohibited areas; and the number of alien enemies who have been interned and subsequently released?

Mr. McKENNA

The Commissioner of Police informs me that there are about 22,000 male enemy aliens now at large in the Metropolitan Police district, of whom about 16,000 are of military age. In the prohibited areas on the East and South Coasts there were, on 1st January, 695 males and 2,302 females. The number of aliens released by the War Office since 12th November is about 2,700. I cannot give figures for the earlier months of the War. This is the fullest information I can obtain.

47. Mr. WILLIAM YOUNG

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the published repudiation by the Home Secretary of responsibility for the return of certain enemy aliens to prohibited areas on the East Coast, he will say which Department of State is responsible?

The PRIME MINISTER

The War Office is responsible. The machinery at the disposal of the Home Office is used to assist the War Office in the discharge of this duty.