§ 85. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Home Secretary how many Germans are now, and were six months ago, employed by Lawrance, Jacob, and Company, of 80, 910 Golden Lane, George Rice, Limited, of 65, Queen Street, and 0. W. Martin and Son, Limited, of 68, Upper Thames Street and 61, Grange Road, Bermondsey; why they are not interned; and whether it is in the interest of the country to continue businesses which employ alien enemies?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe firms named were six months ago and are now employing respectively nine, ten, and twenty-one enemy aliens at their works, which are not, however, in the City of London. The aliens are all above military age, and no question of interning them has arisen. As regards the last paragraph of the question, I can only say that in my view it is in the national interest that so far as possible every man in the country, of whatever nationality, should be employed on work of national importance, and I am taking steps to see that uninterned enemy aliens shall be so employed.
§ Mr. BILLINGDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the time has arrived when all enemy aliens should be interned?
§ Sir G. CAVENo, Sir; I think that would be quite impossible. Many of them are infirm, very much above the military age, and unable to do any harm whatever to this country. But I say that all of them who are fit for work should do work of national importance.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman remove the notices in the railway carriages, which might be now waste paper, advising people not to speak for fear of giving enemy aliens information?