HC Deb 09 April 1940 vol 359 cc457-8
37. Mr. Lipson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make inquiries into the conditions obtaining at the internment camp at Swanwick, Derby; and is he aware that the leader of that camp is a Nazi party leader, censors all letters, compels the singing of the Horst Wessel song, and that all non-Nazis are beaten up?

Mr. Stanley

I am informed that, on the arrival of a number of men at this camp, there was a demonstration, but that no serious harm was done and that the new arrivals are on good terms with the rest of the camp population. I am also informed that there is no substance in the suggestion that all letters are censored by the camp leader or that there is compulsion to sing Nazi songs.

Mr. Lipson

Has my right hon. Friend made very full inquiries, and has he seen a letter which I sent to him in which is contained the information on which this Question is based? Is he aware that I have another letter which confirms everything stated in the first letter and which gives a very different picture from that of my right hon Friend? Will he not see that a proper investigation is carried out?

Mr. Stanley

I have made a proper investigation and I have given the facts. A very careful eye will be kept on the conduct of this camp.

Mr. Lipson

Will my right hon. Friend arrange that prisoners of war are not put in the same camps as residents of this country who have had to be interned?

Sir Archibald Sinclair

Is it not undesirable that the War Office should recognise a Nazi party leader as a leader of the camp?

Mr. Stanley

We do not recognise a Nazi party leader as the leader of the camp.

Mr. Lipson

May I have an answer to my question? I asked the Minister whether he would not give an undertaking that prisoners of war should not be put in the same camps as civilian internees?

Mr. Stanley

Yes, Sir.

Miss Wilkinson

Is not the statement that general good will is now felt due to the fact that no complaints are being made because prisoners are afraid of being beaten up; and is it not a fact that after a preliminary demonstration those who were not members of the Nazi party were afraid of being anything else?

Mr. Stanley

I do not believe that in the case of this camp that is so.

Mr. R. Gibson

Arising out of the original answer, can the right hon. Gentleman say what the disturbance was about?