HC Deb 18 February 1919 vol 112 cc741-3
63. Commander Sir E. NICHOLL

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the statement that over 20,000 aliens of enemy and other nationalities are waiting in Rotterdam for the peace settlement to return to this country; and what steps, if any, are being taken to stop them and their Bolshevist propaganda?

Mr. SHORTT

I believe statements to the effect of the first paragraph of the question have been made, If they are founded on facts I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the powers of excluding aliens which I now possess, and which I hope will be continued in peace-time, are adequate, and will be used to deal with the matter.

86. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Home Secretary the number of enemy civilians now in Great Britain, the number who are now interned, and the number who have been repatriated since the signing of the Armistice; and whether any enemy aliens have been released since that date?

95. Sir F. HALL

asked what is the number of enemy aliens at present interned in this country; how many have been repatriated since the Armistice was signed; and if steps are being taken to arrange for the early repatriation of the remainder?

Mr. SHORTT

The number of enemy aliens at liberty in this country is between 20,000 and 21,000. Most of these are women or men of over military age, or of friendly races though technically of enemy nationality. The number interned is 17,816. The number who have been repatriated since the signing of the Armistice is about 7,400, and the number released since that date is 118, mainly persons of former enemy nationality now recognised as friends, e.g., Czecho-Slovaks, and the rest men interned provisionally and released on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee after hearing their cases. Repatriation is being carried out as quickly as shipping facilities permit.

90. Mr. BOTTOMLEY

asked the Home Secretary whether he will issue an Order permitting the free inspection by any British citizen of the local registers of aliens at police stations?

Mr. SHORTT

I think it is necessary to adhere to the established practice that these registers are not available for public inspection, but that the police are authorised to inform inquirers who show good reason for their inquiry whether or not a particular individualis registered as an alien friend or an alien enemy, as the case may be.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us why he thinks it is necessary?

Mr. SHORTT

It is considered so by my advisers.

91. Sir HERBERT NIELD

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that by an Order in Council, dated the 18th December last, Article 22 c and Schedules V. and VI. of the Aliens Restriction Order, which forbid the employment of aliens in certain trades, were revoked; and will he state why and at whose instance such revocation has been made?

94. Sir JOHN BUTCHER

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he is prepared to revoke the Order in Council of 18th December last, by which Regulation 22 c of the Alien Restriction Orders was revoked, or to modify the terms of such Order in Council so that Regulation 22 c may still apply to alien enemies?

Mr. SHORTT

The decision to revoke the Article referred to was taken at the request of the Minister of National Service on the ground that the need for it had ceased. The object of the Article was to divert alien labour from the unessential industries mentioned in Schedule V. of the Order and to ensure its employment during the War in work of national importance. The employment schemes in question ceased to be required with the Armistice, and came to an end in the middle of December; and the existence of the Article then proved a hindrance to the work of the Employment Exchanges. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by reviving the Article.

92. Sir H. NIELD

asked the Home Secretary whether a Bill relating to the repatriation and restricting the immigration of aliens has been prepared; and, if so, when does he propose to introduce it?

Mr. SHORTT

A Bill is now under consideration, and will be introduced at an early date.

93. Sir F. HALL

asked the Home Secretary if there has been any relaxation since 11th November, 1918, of the regulations in force during the War with respect to the exclusion of aliens from this country; and if he will undertake that no change shall take place without the matter coming before the House for discussion and decision?

Mr. SHORTT

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. No change will be made before the new Aliens Bill is introduced.