§ 18. Sir A. MARKHAMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that between 1st January and 13th May 1,289 alien enemies were released by the War Office entirely on the responsibility of the Secretary of State for War, he will say whether the Home Office, who furnished reports from the police in each case, concurred in the orders of release; whether numerous applications were made to the War Office asking for the release of these aliens; whether these were granted notwithstanding the police authorities had ordered their internment; and will he say whether the War Office had any information about these aliens other than the police reports?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe Home Office was not consulted as to the release of particular alien enemies. Many applications were received for the release of such aliens, and in dealing with them consideration was given to reports by the police, obtained through the Home Office, and to any information at the disposal of the War Office.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs all the blame that was put upon the present Chancellor of the Exchequer really due to the War Office, and not to the Home Office at all?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware of blame, but all the responsibility attaches-to the War Office.