§ 59. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he has considered the case of a young man now interned as an alien enemy at Wakefield, who has lived in Germany only six months since he was a month old, who was brought up in America, France, and Belgium, who chose on becoming independent to live in England and to become a British subject, and who has expressed a desire to serve this country at the present time; and whether, in view of this young man being an experienced mechanical and electrical engineer, he possesses powers whereby the services of this man and others similarly circumstanced may be utilised to the national advantage, and thus the cost and burden of internment may be saved?
§ Sir JOHN SIMONI understand that this question refers to a young man the reasons for whose internment were explained at some length in answer to questions by my hon. Friend last May. The administration of the camp at Handforth is in the hands of the War Office, who are, I believe, anxious to adopt any practicable 1498 scheme for utilising the services of the prisoners.
§ Mr. KINGIs my right hon. Friend aware that in Germany and in Russia large numbers of alien prisoners are used for the economic advantages of those countries, and will something be done in the same direction in this country also, so that the British taxpayers will not have to bear the whole burden of the cost of their maintenance?
§ Sir J. SIMONI think the second part of my answer dealt with that matter in the spirit of the hon. Member's further question.