§ 36. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction occasioned by his neglect to take notice of the representations that have been made to him regarding the case of one Otto Sallmann, residing at 11, Girdler's Road, Brook Green, a lecturer on Shakespeare at Toynbee Hall; whether this man is a naturalised or an unnaturalised German; whether he is aware that Sallmann and his wife have made themselves offensive in their neighbourhood by their ostentatious rejoicing on occasions of enemy successes in the War; why Sallmann has not been interned; and whether, in case of Sallmann having been naturalised, he will consider the propriety of cancelling his certificate as soon as the Aliens Bill becomes law?
§ Sir G. CAVEI cannot find that any representations have been made to me with regard to this man who, I am informed, is a natural-born British subject. I am making inquiry into the allegations made in the question, and will be glad if the hon. Member will submit to me the evidence on which they are based.
Mr. E. HARVEYIs it not possible when a personal attack is made upon people who have no opportunity of replying for their names to be submitted privately to the Minister concerned, so that inquiry may be made and all information elicited without injustice being done to the individuals?
§ Mr. SNOWDENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member has frequently put down similar questions giving names and addresses of various people, and that, on inquiry being made, the reply of the Minister has been that there was no foundation for the statements made in the question?
§ Sir G. CAVEI have no recollection of any cases.
§ Mr. MacNEILLIf my right hon. Friend is willing to receive the evidence, I am quite ready to submit it to him.
§ Mr. DEVLINMay I ask, can there be no protection for innocent people outside against these attacks in Parliament, where they have no opportunity of defending themselves, and, in view of the fact that there are Select Committees dealing with these things, is it not most unfair to hold them up to public odium and scorn?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am quite in accord with the views of the hon. Member. I have regretted during the whole Session the way in which a number of perfectly innocent people have been referred to in questions in this House, and I am obliged to the hon. Member for what he has said, but the hon. Member for St. Augustine's is not the only offender.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs it not a fact that questions were repeatedly asked in this House about Mr. de Laszlo, and during a period of two years we were assured that this man was absolutely harmless, whereas he had been communicating with the enemy all the time?
§ Sir G. CAVENo question was ever asked me about this man until after he was interned.