§ 29. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Home Secretary whether there is now living at Fareham, close to Aldershot, an alien named H. Vogel; whether this gentleman, at the beginning of the War, registered himself as a German, without any qualification; whether he has since described himself as a Pomeranian, an Austrian, and a Russian Pole; whether, prior to the War, lie went to Germany nearly every year; and why the Home Office did not accept his own description on his original declaration?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe facts of the case referred to are well known to the civil and military authorities. The man is in possession of a Russian passport, and his claim to be a Russian Pole, and not a German subject, has been accepted after careful investigation, with the help of a committee of representative Poles. The police report that he is a harmless person, but if the hon. Member is in possession of any evidence showing that the man is in fact German, or was before the War in communication with Germany, I will have further inquiry made.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSCould the right hon. Gentleman have better evidence than the fact that this man registered as a German at the beginning of the War?
§ Sir G. CAVEThat is pretty good prima facie evidence. I understand that the man has given his explanation, and says he was born in the neighbourhood of Posen, on the Polish side. I did not look into the matter. The Committee seemed satisfied, and we have found the Committee to be very reliable.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the gentleman named in this question and the hon. Gentleman who has put the question were born under the same burgomaster in Germany?