HC Deb 15 August 1940 vol 364 cc947-8
58. Mr. Wilson

asked the Home Secretary how many class "C" refugees have been sent overseas, and how many of these have been so sent without the consent of their parents or guardians and unaccompanied by any adult relative?

Sir J. Anderson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to a similar Question by the hon. Member for the Nelson and Colne Division (Mr. Silverman).

Mr. Silverman

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it would be worth while, for the satisfaction of the parents, who do not know where these boys are, to find out how many of such boys have been deported without the knowledge or consent of their parents?

Sir J. Anderson

Any parent can find out where his child is by reference to the inquiry bureau which has been set up at Scotland House.

Mr. Hammersley

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this inquiry bureau is not working satisfactorily, that individuals have made some inquiry as to the whereabouts of their children and that they have had no reply for several days, that they have put the same inquiry down again and that they are still waiting?

Sir J. Anderson

If my hon. Friend will put down a Question, I will endeavour to deal with the matter.

Mr. Silverman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that for the past 14 days I have had a Question down to himself about this matter and that so far he has been unable to answer it?

Sir J. Anderson

Yes, Sir; the reason is that statistics are not immediately available to enable an answer to be given, and it would not be desirable to make a special investigation of all the files for the purpose of collecting the information.

Mr. Silverman

I was asking about an individual case.