22. Mr. Edmund Harveyasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to recent regulations under which German Jewish refugees in Italy, unless they leave that country before 12th March, will have all their property confiscated while they themselves will be liable to imprisonment; and whether, as many of these refugees are desirous of settling in British Colonies or in the Dominions, he will arrange for the expediting of the granting of visas, etc., to enable these people to leave the country within the specified time?
§ Mr. ButlerA decree-law published in Rome on 19th November last provides that foreign Jews who do not leave Italy by the 12th March are liable to expulsion, imprisonment up to three months or a fine up to 5,000 lire. The succeeding article enumerates as exceptions those who have completed their 65th year, and those married to Italians. Applications from persons emigrating from Italy for admission to the United Kingdom will receive very careful consideration, the grant of visas in such cases being on the same conditions as those governing the admission of other refugees. The admission of refugees to the Dominions is a matter for the Dominion Governments concerned. The admission of immigrants to the Colonial Dependencies is similarly governed by the laws and regulations of the various territories, which, generally speaking, apply to all immigrants alike, whether British or foreign. While Colonial Governments have been asked to give as sympathetic consideration as they can to applications received from refugees who are likely to prove good and useful citizens, it would not be possible to suggest that special facilities should be accorded to refugees from any particular country.
Mr. HarveyIn view of the urgency of the need, is it not possible to expedite the visas for trans-migrants who are not intending to reside in this country?
§ Mr. ButlerI will certainly look into that point.