HC Deb 07 March 1917 vol 91 c388
80. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Home Secretary whether three young men, under twenty-five years of age, all of German birth, have been allowed to leave Buckfast Abbey since the outbreak of war for the express purpose of returning to Germany; and why the Government granted facilities to these young men to leave this country seeing that they were of enemy birth and of military age?

Sir G. CAVE

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor to the right hon. Member for the South Molton Division on the 16th August last, in which he explained that no men of military age had been allowed to leave the abbey and return to Germany, but that three women and three boys under military age, whose ages were thirteen, fifteen, and sixteen respectively, had been allowed to return in 1915 in accordance with the international agreements. None have gone to Germany since then.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries and see what happened in 1914?

Sir G. CAVE

I have fully answered the question. I have made inquiries.