HC Deb 14 August 1940 vol 364 c773
81. Mr. Silverman

asked the Home Secretary approximately how many persons, certified by tribunals to be refugees from Nazi oppression, are now in detention by his authority; how many applications by such persons for release remain undetermined; and whether he has appointed a special staff to expedite the release of persons entitled to such release?

Mr. Peake

Approximately 13,000 persons now interned in this country were classified as refugees. Applications for release of persons coming within the categories of eligibility are dealt with irrespective of whether or not the applicant is a refugee, and separate statistics are not available of applications made by refugees. The staff of the Aliens Department of the Home Office has been augmented in order to deal with applications for release as expeditiously as possible.

Mr. Mander

Is the hon. Member aware that there are two men in the uniform of the Pioneer Corps who have come back from France, who are still in Huyton Camp? Ought they not to be let out at once?

Mr. Peake

I think I had better make some inquiries.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the hon. Member aware that some internees who have been re leased from Pentonville Prison expected to be sent to camps or to be released, and that they have been sent to Liverpool Prison?

Mr. Peake

Those are not the type of internees to which this Question refers.