32. Colonel FABERasked the Home Secretary whether he has any information showing that M. Kamaneff, who is reported to be on his way to this country from 258 Stockholm, is the same man who was named in the order to the German Imperial banks; if so, whether he has been in German pay; and whether he is to be allowed to be at large in this country?
§ 43. Mr. BILLINGasked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the fact that M. Litvinoff has caused revolutionary literature to be distributed among munition workers in this country, more especially in the Woolwich Arsenal, he will now have this gentleman deported as an undesirable alien?
§ Sir G. CAVEThese matters are receiving the attention of His Majesty's Government, but I do not consider it desirable to make any statement at present.
§ Sir G. CAVENo. I think not.
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the letter on which these statements are based have now been proved to be a forgery?
§ Sir G. CAVENo, I am not aware of that.
§ Mr. BILLING (later)May I ask why I am not allowed to ask Question 43?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt has already been answered.
§ Mr. BILLINGHow am I to be aware when a question in reference to this matter has been answered?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHad the hon. Member listened he would have known.
§ 35. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary what is the estimated cost of feeding, housing, and guarding the 29,000 civilian interned aliens in this country; and whether he proposes to reduce the incubus of these interned persons by offering them useful work or the option of repatriation?
§ Sir G. CAVEI regret that it is not possible to give the figures desired. As regards the second paragraph, a large number of the prisoners are employed on useful work, either in the camps or outside, and the number so employed is constantly being increased.
§ Mr. KINGHas the right hon. Gentleman given attention to the remarks of Lord Newton on this subject, who declared that this burden was an excessive incubus upon the country?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is giving information.
§ Mr. BILLINGHaving regard to the fact that, according to this question, 29,000 aliens are eating the food of this country, is it not in the public interest to deport them?
§ Sir G. CAVENo; these are German prisoners, who must be kept here.