97. Colonel BURNasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that 392 enemy aliens landed in 2379 this country during the month of May; and will this influx of enemy aliens be allowed to continue when there is not sufficient housing accommodation for our own people?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)A few of these aliens were men allowed to return to their British-born families on the recommendation of the Committee established under Section 10 (4) of the Act of 1919. All the others were admitted in accordance with Section 10 (1) of that Act on special grounds and for short periods not exceeding three months. At the end of the periods fixed they will leave the country and no question of housing accommodation is involved.
Colonel BURNCan my right hon. Friend assure me that all these men go back to their own country in six months?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, in three months.
§ Major NALLMay I ask of the Home Secretary, is he sure they do go back at the end of three months, and is he aware he told me on Tuesday that the ex-Austrian Consul in Manchester had gone back, and that he is now in Manchester and has been there all the time?
§ Mr. SHORTTMy information was contrary to that, but he may have had his time extended for some business reason.