HC Deb 29 April 1918 vol 105 cc1290-1
61. Brigadier - General McCALMONT

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that several enemy aliens reside in a town on the coast of county Antrim, some of whom are possibly naturalised; whether he is aware that local feeling resents the presence of these persons in such an important area; whether the naval officer responsible for that portion of the coast has been consulted; and whether arrangements will be made to ensure that enemy aliens, naturalised or otherwise, shall not be permitted to reside on that coast?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRE- LAND (Mr. Duke)

There are three alien enemies and three naturalised Germans residing on the coast of County Antrim. Two of the alien enemies are old ladies, ver seventy years of ago, who were visit- ing their sons-in-law when the War broke out and have been unable to return to Germany; the other is a native of Ireland, who is the wife of a Czech now serving in the British Army. The police are well informed as to all the cases and have duly reported to the military authorities. There has been no evidence, so far as I can ascertain, of local resentment towards the persons in Question. The answer to the concluding inquiries in the question is in the negative.

General McCALMONT

Will the right hon. Gentleman say by what means he suggests local inhabitants should show their resentment of the presence of aliens amongst them, and are we to understand from the answer that the naval officer responsible for that portion of the coast has not been consulted in any way at all on the subject?

Mr. DUKE

The whole of these facts have been, as I understand, under the consideration of everybody whose duty it was to consider them. With regard to the other matter to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers the expression of resentment towards persons under the protection of the law in this country, I certainly cannot suggest any mode of expressing such resentment.

General McCALMONT

Are we to understand that the naval officer has been consulted?

Mr. DUKE

If my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question, I will see whether it is included in the negative in the latter part of the answer. I do not think it is, but I cannot say offhand.