§ 55. Sir Arnold Wilsonasked the Home Secretary how many refugee children of Spanish nationality are still in this country; and whether he will now take steps to expedite their repatriation in view of the known willingness of the Spanish Government to receive them and to provide for their future welfare?
§ Sir S. HoareI have been in consultation with the National Joint Committee for Spanish Relief who are responsible for the Basque children in this country, and the committee tell me that they have 1615 been taking and will continue to take active steps to repatriate as many of these children as possible. Of the total of nearly 4,000 who originally came, about 2,500 have gone back and another 400 are leaving on 21st May. The remaining 1,100 are, I understand, mostly children whose parents are refugees in France or whose whereabouts are unknown, and while the committee does not feel that it would be right at the moment to divest itself of its responsibilities for these children, the committee is continuing its efforts to get into touch with parents and relatives with a view to the return of children to their care whenever practicable.
§ Mr. W. RobertsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many more of these children would already have returned if the Spanish Government had been willing at any time to give facilities for representatives of the committee to visit the parts of the country from which the children came?
§ Sir Joseph LambWould it be possible for us to have a microphone for use in the House, as certain hon. Members cannot be heard?
§ Sir S. HoareIn answer to the hon. Member for West Cumberland (Mr. W. Roberts), I must say that I have no information to that effect.
§ Miss WilkinsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the treatment meted out by the Spanish Government to these refugees who have gone there is not such as to encourage any humanitarian person to send people back there?
§ Sir S. HoareI have no knowledge of that.
§ 56. Sir A. Wilsonasked the Home Secretary what restrictions exist respecting the adoption of alien orphan minors by residents in this country; and whether, in view of several cases of improper treatment of refugee children by private persons who volunteered to receive them which have already been reported to and dealt with by refugee organisations, he will take steps to ensure that all such proposals are independently investigated under official auspices?
§ Sir S. HoareSuch information as my Department has about the arrangements 1616 for finding homes in this country for refugee children indicates that the voluntary organisations which have undertaken this charitable work take proper precautions to make sure that the people offering to take children are suitable and arrange for subsequent visits to be made to see that the children are being properly looked after. I know of no allegations of improper treatment of such children and shall be glad if my hon. Friend will send me any information he has, so that I may make inquiries.
§ Sir A. WilsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in at least 20 cases serious allegations have been made; and, further, is he aware that I put down this question solely in the hope that official organisations such as the police may be enlisted in order to assist the alien refugees organisations?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir; I have made inquiries and I have received no complaints. If the hon. Member will send me any particulars I will look into them.
§ Sir A. WilsonI will gladly do so.
57. Colonel Sandemanasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider giving permission to refugees in the future only to enter this country on condition that they work on the land for a minimum period of five years?
§ Sir S. HoareThe majority of refugees at present in this country have been admitted on a temporary basis until they can be emigrated to another country and the question of their employment does not, therefore, arise. A certain number have, however, been permitted to take work in occupations where there is a shortage of applicants, such as domestic service, or where it is advantageous to make use of some special qualifications possessed by the refugee. I think it is best to adhere to the policy which has been consistently followed of dealing with each application on its merits.
Miss RathboneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a large number of experienced land workers who are longing to get work on the land, and that the effect of the present regulations is that they have to go abroad almost as soon as they have finished their training which results in the farmer losing this labour at a time when it is most valuable?