§ 34. Mr. G. Straussasked the Home Secretary whether he will appoint more staff to that section of his Department dealing with the permission for refugees to enter this country?
38. Miss Rathboneasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that applications for permits to enter this country are often left unanswered or unsettled for weeks or even months, and that such delays are sometimes a source of grave inconvenience or danger to the applicants; and will he, in view of the recent increase in the number of such applications, consider substantially increasing the staff of the Department concerned in dealing with such applications?
§ Sir S. HoareSubstantial additions have already been made to the staff, and further additions have been decided upon. Delays in some cases are, I fear, unavoidable owing to the need for making inquiries into the very large number of applications. I am most anxious that everything possible shall be done to eliminate any avoidable delay, and I can assure the hon. Members that all possible help shall be rendered by my Department.
§ Mr. StraussIs the Home Secretary aware that there are still very considerable delays owing to congestion—usually of weeks and months—even in cases which seem to be quite clear and straightforward, and that these delays cause quite unnecessary suffering and anxiety and hi some cases they may even be fatal?
§ Sir S. HoareI do not think that is the case. The delays which I have investigated are chiefly due to the difficulty of obtaining the necessary information.
§ Mr. StraussWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the cases that I put before him, which are perfectly clear, and in connection with which there have been delays of months?
Miss RathboneWill the right hon. Gentleman also consider similar cases that I have put before him, cases which are admittedly perfectly clear, and which have been kept for months?
§ Sir S. HoareCertainly. There are, however, many of my correspondents who think the cases are perfectly clear, but, unfortunately—although I do not say that the hon. Lady is included in this category—they do not always give the necessary information.
§ Rear-Admiral BeamishWill my right hon. Friend assure the House that if any major decision is made with regard to allowing refugees to enter this country, the House will have some say in the matter?
§ 36. Mr. Rileyasked the Home Secretary how many persons from Czechoslovakia have applied for admission to this country since the Munich Agreement to date; how many have been admitted; and how many refused admission?
§ Sir S. HoareDuring the period 1st October-12th November the number of persons holding Czechoslovak passports who were given leave to land in this country was 1,103 and the number refused leave to land was 25.
§ Mr. RileyCan the right hon. Gentleman state the approximate number of applications still under consideration?
§ Sir S. HoareI could not do so without notice, but I think the number of Czechoslovak refugees would be very small. If the hon. Member puts down a question, I will see whether I can give him any further information.