§ 87. Mr. GILBERTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of Germans who have been allowed to enter and reside in Great Britain since peace was signed; the number that have been permitted to enter during the present year; if any conditions are imposed on such persons; and what those conditions are?
§ Sir J. BAIRDI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for the Northern Division of Newcastle-on-Tyne (Mr. Doyle) on the 8th June last, in which he stated that up till the end of December, 1919, practically no Germans were admitted to this country except British-born wives or widows and their children. The figures for the first six months of this year are 2,885 Germans. Included in this total are, 1,002 British-born wives or widows and children, also the husbands and fathers of British-born families permitted to return by the Advisory Committee under Section 10 (4) of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, and a certain number of Germans resident in this country and returning after a short visit abroad. On all the rest, that is to say, on all the now comers, 2603 a condition is imposed on being permitted to land, that they report forthwith to the police and remain in this country only for a limited time, as prescribed by Section 10 (1) of the Act of 1919.
§ 88. Mr. GILBERTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if German commercial travellers and agents are now allowed to enter this country; if so, on what conditions and for what Period of time; if such persons require to have their passports vised by British consuls or other British officials in Germany; if they require to give any notice to the police in this country; and whether on their return they require permits or their passports vised in this country?
§ Sir J. BAIRDThe answer to the first part of the question is "Yes," in proper cases. To the second part, that the conditions and period of time vary according to the circumstances of each case; the Statute prescribes a maximum of three months in the first instance. To the third, the answer is "Yes." To the fourth, that such persons are landed on condition that they report forthwith to the police and report all temporary changes of address to the police. To the last paragraph, that no permit or British visa is required for the return journey, but their departure from the United Kingdom is carefully checked to see that the period of their stay in this country is duly observed.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs there any record kept, as provided by the Act, of the special reasons for which these Germans are allowed to come to this country?
§ Sir J. BAIRDEach case is considered on its merits.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs there a record kept and published?
§ Sir J. BAIRDAll the records are kept at the Home Office.