§ 74. Mr. FELLasked the Home Secretary if he has further considered the question of compelling aliens who are trading in this country under assumed names or descriptions to exhibit their true names for at least ten years after they assumed a British name or British description, and that on all papers they must sign both the assumed name and their original name?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes, Sir. I considered the suggestion when made by the hon. Member some months ago, but I came to the conclusion that such a far-reaching change affecting aliens of all nationalities would go beyond the proper scope of the emergency powers relating to the War.
§ Mr. FELLIf the right hon. Gentleman cannot go so far as is suggested, can he do something to stop the fraud perpetrated throughout the country by people trading by deceit and inducing people to frequent their establishments under the impression that they are British?
§ Mr. McKENNAAny case of fraud, of course, could be proceeded against in the ordinary way, but I think the proposal upon the Paper goes a great deal beyond the scope of our emergency powers.
§ 76. Mr. FELLasked the Home Secretary if alien enemies are now being employed at some of the hotels and restaurants in London; and, if so, will he make it a condition of such employment that such hotels exhibit a notice at the entrance that aliens are employed there, so that customers may be warned of their presence and of the risk involved in discussing the War or similar topics?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have no power to impose conditions on the employment of waiters, British or alien. I am afraid that the suggestion that the danger of espionage is confined to aliens is too sanguine.
§ 78. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Home Secretary whether he can state when the German lieutenant Baron Werner von Ow-Wachendorf was arrested, where he was interned, and where he subsequently resided at liberty; and whether this officer has now been exchanged, and is at liberty to fight against this country?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Baron was never interned. He arrived in this country from South Africa in the middle of August, and from then until his departure on 1st March resided continuously in London. As to his exchange, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply already given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
§ Commander BELLAIRSI understand that this officer was released and remained at large as a Consular officer. I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the view of His Majesty's Government, he could properly be called a Consular officer having regard to the fact that he started on mobilisation before the War broke out and ceased to be a Consular officer?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is a question to be addressed to the Foreign Office.
Mr. STANLEY WILSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this officer served his military training in German South-West Africa a year ago, and was not such information given to the Intelligence Department of the War Office about 16th October of last year?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is a question which must be addressed to the War Office. I have no knowledge on the matter.
§ Mr. McKENNAI cannot answer for all the details of the work in the War Office without notice.