HC Deb 06 July 1915 vol 73 cc185-7
25. Mr. BUTCHER

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the case of Professor A. W. Schuddekopf, of Leeds University, a German believed to be naturalised, whose son formerly held a commission as second-lieutenant in the 7th Service Battalion Leeds Rifles; whether, when the battalion volunteered for service abroad, Professor Schuddekopf informed the commanding officer that he (the professor) was a German and his wife a German, and that he refused to allow his son to fight against Germans; whether Second-Lieutenant Schuddekopf acquiesced in his father's views and intimated his unwillingness to serve abroad, and has since resigned his commission; whether the professor above referred to is the same Professor Schuddekopf who in May last published a letter in the "Times" and other papers publicly expressing his unswerving loyalty to the country of his adoption, and stating that he felt bound to it not only by gratitude, family ties, and his solemn oath of allegiance, but also by a deep sympathy born of common work and intimate knowledge of the nation's life and character; whether Professor Schuddekopf still owes allegiance to the German Emperor; and whether, having regard to the hostile origin and associations and the action of Professor Schuddekopf and his son, he will order them to be interned?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Simon)

I have made inquiry and find that the facts with regard to Second-Lieutenant Schuddekopf's resignation of his commission appear to be substantially as stated in the question. His father, Professor Schuddekopf, who was one of the signatories of the letter in the "Times," of 14th May, was willing that his son should serve for Home defence, but did not wish him to volunteer to fight the Germans abroad. I am informed that the professor owes no allegiance to the German Emperor. As regards the last part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's question, the matter shall receive consideration.

Mr. BUTCHER

Is it competent for an officer holding His Majesty's commission to select which of the King's enemies he shall fight against?

Sir J. SIMON

I think the hon. and learned Gentleman is under a misapprehension. This man belonged to a Territorial regiment, and only those Territorial officers who volunteer for service abroad are liable to serve abroad.

6. Sir A. MARKHAM

asked whether the Secretary of State for War has during the past six months released, with permission to remain in this country, any German alien enemies who had been sent to detention camps by order of the Home Office; and, if so, how many?

Mr. TENNANT

Between the 1st January and the 13th May, on which date the responsibility for the release of civilian alien enemies was taken over by the Home Secretary, 1,289 such aliens were released from internment camps by order of the Secretary of State for War. Of these, the great majority had been interned by the various police authorities acting under the general instructions of the Government issued through the Home Office regarding alien enemies. Both in the general measure of internment which took place at the end of October and in the subsequent release of selected cases the two Departments co-operated.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many have been actually released from these internment camps by order of the War Office, and how many are still at liberty—that is what I want to know?

Mr. TENNANT

One thousand two hundred and eighty-nine was the number I gave.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Are they all at liberty?

Mr. TENNANT

I am afraid I cannot answer that. I have not been able to trace what happened in the interval.