HC Deb 28 November 1916 vol 88 c122
1. Sir HENRY CRAIK

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the wives and families of interned Germans are in many cases boarded and lodged, at large expense, in the unions, where they are free from any supervision, and can go out at any hour of the day; and, if so, whether the wives and families of such interned Germans as are exchanged and repatriated will be compulsorily repatriated at the same time?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

I am informed by the Local Government Board that the number of wives and children of interned aliens who are maintained in Poor Law institutions is exceedingly small, and in almost all cases they are maintained in the institution because of sickness or other special circumstances of a like nature. Aliens in Poor Law institutions are subject to the-ordinary supervision and discipline of the establishment, and are also subject to the police regulations applicable to aliens generally. Repatriation has been and will be carried out in proper cases; but the wives of many interned aliens are British-born and others have young; children who are British-born.

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