§ 31. Mr. Crowderasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that members of the Inter-Aid Committee for children from Germany (the Save the Children Fund) are appealing to the public for money to maintain non-Aryan German children in this country; and what steps are being taken to ensure that such children do not eventually either compete in the British labour market or become a charge on public funds here?
§ Sir J. SimonI am informed that as a result of the appeal to which my hon. Friend refers, the Inter-Aid Committee has been able to make arrangements for 92 German children to attend schools in this country where fees are charged. All the children have been granted leave to land on a condition which limits the length of their stay in this country, and in accordance with general practice a warning has been given in each case that the child has been permitted to enter this country solely for the purpose of attending a school, and will be expected to leave on the completion of the educational course.
§ Mr. ThorneDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is very much better for people to live in a democratic country than it is for people to live in a country where there is a dictatorship?
§ Mr. CrowderIf this society should run out of funds and be unable to provide for these 92 children, will they be sent back to their own country, and will my right hon. Friend assure the House that they will in no circumstances become a public charge?
§ Sir J. SimonProper precautions will be taken about that, but the general feeling of the House would be that as long as proper precautions are taken, it is quite right to do as we are doing.
§ Mr. ThorneWill the right hon. Gentleman see that these children are kept here to learn the methods of our democratic institutions?
§ Sir J. SimonThere is no method known to me by which I could secure their being elected Members of Parliament.