23. Mr. A. RICHARDSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many naturalised British subjects of German birth who were interned in Germany and Holland have been brought back to this country; whether German civilian prisoners interned here were given to Germany in exchange for them; and whether the Government will undertake that no more British subjects of German origin shall be imported into this country, either by way of exchange or otherwise, during the War?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)In regard to the first part of the question, I am afraid it is impossible to give accurate figures without greater labour than could have been given to it since the question has been put down. I understand, however, that the number is between twenty and thirty. The second part of the question rests on a misapprehension. There is no exchange of prisoner for prisoner, but certain classes of prisoners both in England and Germany are entitled to repatriation or transfer to a neutral country on certain specified 1035 grounds. The matter raised in the third part of the question must await the return of the Home Secretary, whose attention I have directed to the point.
§ Mr. BILLINGAre we to understand that this country is accepting back into this country enemy-born subjects, naturalised Britons, in exchange for Germans?
§ Sir C. HENRYWhat does the hon. Gentleman mean by "certain classes of prisoners"?
§ Mr. HOPEFor instance, civilians over forty-five and prisoners suffering from certain medical disabilities, and so on.
§ Sir C. HENRYNo special preference is given to prisoners as regards social status?
§ Mr. HOPEOh, no. Selection in these cases is made on the other side, either on medical grounds or according to certain categories.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the hon. Gentleman reply to my question, as to whether enemy-born subjects who are naturalised Britons are accepted in exchange for German subjects?
§ Mr. HOPEThat is covered by the second part of my answer. There is no exchange of prisoner for prisoner.