HC Deb 30 November 1939 vol 355 cc235-6
33. Captain Ramsay

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Dr. Bode had a contract under the emergency scheme to take over the duties of full-time physician of the German Hospital on the outbreak of war; that, in consequence of his arrest this job, carrying £750 a year, has been lost; and whether he will now inform the Ministry of Health that there is no charge against Dr. Bode to disqualify him from resuming the service which he has rendered to the British public for 14 years?

Sir J. Anderson

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that Dr. Bode's name was included in the list of doctors available for service under the Emergency Medical Service Scheme. As regards the second part of the question, the restrictions to which Dr. Bode is now subject are not such as would prevent him from resuming his services to the ordinary sick.

Captain Ramsay

Does my right hon. Friend mean to say that there is nothing so far as he is concerned against Dr. Bode, and that the charge was quite groundless?

Sir J. Anderson

I have not said that. The facts must be left to speak for themselves. The committee recommended the release of Dr. Bode subject to a condition which has been imposed.

Mr. H. Morrison

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the association of the hon. and gallant Member with this case is to the advantage or the disadvantage of the prisoner?

39. Captain Ramsay

asked the Home Secretary whether he will inquire into the case of Dr. Bode, a British subject but recently head of the German Hospital in London, who was arrested on 1st September and kept for 25 days without trial in a verminous cell; and, in particular, why, after appearing before a tribunal on 26th September he was detained in prison for a further 41 days before being finally released?

Sir J. Anderson

Dr. Bode is a British subject of German origin. On the outbreak of war my predecessor in office made an Order under the Defence Regulations for Dr. Bode's detention on security grounds. The case was subsequently reviewed by the Advisory Committee, and, after considering their report, which was submitted on 31st October, I came to the conclusion that Dr. Bode might properly be released subject, however, to compliance with an Order requiring him to notify the police of his movements. He was accordingly released on 6th November. I am assured that the allegation that the cell in which he was detained was verminous is quite unfounded.

Captain Ramsay

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why, in the first place, it was necessary to detain this man without trial for three weeks, and that after he had had a sort of trial he was kept for 41 days without being released?

Sir J. Anderson

Persons who are detained on security grounds should not be released until adequate inquiries have been made, and, as I have explained, Dr. Bode was released six days after the date of the report to my office from the Advisory Committee.