§ 30. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the possibility of finding room for additional German refugees by cancelling the permission of German non-refugees to remain in this country?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Samuel Hoare)A case for such action would only arise if there were in this country numbers of German subjects who could be required to leave without undue hardship to themselves or disadvantage to ourselves; and this is not so. Apart from those who have been settled here for many years, of whom 569 many have British-born wives and British-born children, the large proportion of those admitted are either refugees or persons admitted for special purposes, such as technicians who will leave this country when they have fulfilled the purpose of their visit.
§ Mr. ManderIf we reach a position where there is no more room for German refugees, would it not be reasonable to make some room by sending back some of the German agents and Nazi propagandists who are here?
§ Sir S. HoareThe hon. Member has asked a hypothetical question. I would wait.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreIn view of the increased cost that this change would involve, would the hon. Member be prepared to bear that cost?
35. Mr. Vyvyan Adamsasked the Home Secretary how many alien refugees have been admitted to this country during the last six months?
§ Sir S. HoareI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on this matter on 23rd June to the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley).
Mr. AdamsDoes my right hon. Friend repudiate the reports in the Press about floods of illegal immigrants?
§ Sir S. HoareI have not seen those reports. In any case, I would hesitate to take any responsibility for reports in the Press.