HC Deb 28 February 1917 vol 90 cc2033-5
82. Sir H. CRAIK

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many alien enemies there are uninterned in Scotland; how many of that number are in the Glasgow district; and how many are in prohibited areas?

Mr. MUNRO

Excluding British-born wives, there are, approximately, in Scotland, 770 uninterned enemy aliens, of whom 450 are men and 320 women; 300 men and 150 women are in the Glasgow district. Of the remainder, 84 men and 105 women are in other prohibited areas.

Mr. W. YOUNG

How many of these are friendly?

Mr. MUNRO

I would like to say that the total number which I have given includes friendly aliens, and in addition to, that, a very large proportion of those included in the figures are persons who have resided in the country over forty years.

83. Sir H. CRAIK

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many alien enemies previously residing in Scotland have been interned, and how many from the Glasgow district?

Mr. MUNRO

The numbers are approximately 400 from Glasgow and 700 from the rest of Scotland.

84. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Secretary for Scotland who are the Advisory Committee in regard to alien enemies in Scotland; whether it is proposed to strengthen it; how many cases they have considered; how many they have left uninterned; and how many have been released from internment?

Mr. MUNRO

The Scottish Advisory Committee consists of Lord Dewar (Chairman) and my hon. Friends the Member for South Lanarkshire and the Member for Govan, the latter of whom has recently taken the place of my right hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy Burghs. The Committee has examined over 1,800 cases, and, in addition, it has recently revised all cases in prohibited areas. The men of all ages exempted from internment or repatriation number about 400, and 68 have been released, some of whom are now in England. I see no reason to alter the composition of the Committee.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a report to the House as to the work of this Committee such as we have had in regard to England?

Mr. MUNRO

Yes, I will consider that suggestion.

Mr. WATT

Are we to understand that only 400 were interned out of the 1,800 cases examined?

Mr. MUNRO

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given.