53. Miss Rathboneasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the number of Sudeten-German and German refugees of anti-Nazi opinions now in Czechoslovakia, and in danger of being driven back into the hands of their enemies, is estimated by competent authorities as several thousand, he will consider very substantially increasing the number of 350 permits hitherto granted by his Department, to enable such refugees to seek temporary refuge in this country pending a scheme for their permanent settlement?
§ Sir S. HoareI understand that there are a certain number of refugees of German origin at present in Czechoslovakia who may be finally unable to settle in Czechoslovakia or to return to Germany, but according to information in the possession of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs it would appear that these persons are not in danger of being sent back. Early in October His Majesty's Government authorised the temporary admission into the United Kingdom of 350 persons who were at that time believed to be in immediate danger if they remained where they were on the undertakings which were forthcoming that these persons would be maintained if necessary during their stay in the United Kingdom. His Majesty's Government are willing to admit the families of these persons if similar undertakings are received. The fixing of a number of 350 in advance was an exceptional measure to meet a special situation and does not imply that no further refugees will be admitted into this country. Individual applications will be sympathetically considered, though the extent to which they can be granted mainly depends on the capacity of 370 voluntary organisations to undertake responsibility for their maintenance and establishment in this country without involving a displacement of British labour.
Miss RathboneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that within the last few days representations have been received from several responsible Englishmen in Prague urging the imminent danger to which these refugees are exposed in view of certain anticipated changes in the Czech Government, and will he not consider an early increase in the number of permits, perhaps in consultation with his colleague the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as to whether some financial assistance should not be granted, seeing that this Government has some responsibility in the matter?
§ Sir S. HoareI can only say that I am prepared to consider cases individually and sympathetically.
§ Mr. BennWhen the right hon. Gentleman says that these people are in danger in Prague, in danger from whom? Does he mean the Gestapo?
§ Mr. HicksWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared, outside of what has been guaranteed for the maintenance of the refugees when they come into the country, to receive representations as to the Government bearing some financial responsibility in this matter?
§ Sir S. HoareThat is obviously a different question and had better be put down.