§ 57. Mr. Sloanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that none of the people interned in Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, has had an opportunity of having his case reviewed before the Advisory Committee, and what steps he proposes to take to have the law administered in this respect?
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir John Anderson)I am informed that all these men are Italians of dual nationality. I am arranging for a special committee to review the cases of Italians who have been interned as enemy aliens, and who come within the categories of eligibility for release, and I propose to ask this committee also to act for the purposes of Regulation 18B of the Defence Regulations, and to deal with the cases of Italians of dual nationality.
§ Mr. SloanIs it not time that this matter was cleared up, because some of these people, who were born in Scotland, have been in Barlinnie for six or seven weeks?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir; I am anxious that this matter should be cleared up.
§ 59. Mr. Cecil Wilsonasked the Home Secretary what was the strength of the administrative division dealing with aliens and refugees, respectively, prior to the outbreak of war, prior to 1st May, and at the last available date; how many are men and how many women; how many are attached to transitional and how many to other camps; how many of those appointed since 1st May are believed to be under 40 years of age; and what are the requisite qualifications for this delicate and urgent work?
§ Sir J. AndersonAs the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
943 Following is the reply:
The administrative and clerical staff of the Division dealing with aliens and refugees on 1st September, 1939, 1st April, 1940, and 12th August, 1940, was as follows:
It is not possible to distinguish between the staff employed on refugee work and on general aliens work. Of the staff appointed since 1st May, 22 are under 40 years of age, and of this number 16 are under the age of 20. The qualifications for this work are much the same as those required for other administrative and clerical work in the Home Office. So far as possible, use has been made of the services of those with suitable previous experience. None of the staff mentioned are attached to camps. All the staff now at the camps have been appointed by the War Office.
Total. 1st September, 1939, 121 men, 75 women 196 1st April, 1940, 114 men, 79 women 193 12th August, 1940, 161 men, 92 women 253
§ 60. Mr. James Hallasked the Home Secretary whether he has now completed his inquiries concerning the case of Mr. Jakob Felsenstein, No. 75948; whether this man has been deported; and, if so, to what destination, and for what reason?
§ Sir J. AndersonJakob Felsenstein went to Australia on 10th July on the understanding that his wife, Esther Felsenstein, would be given an opportunity to follow him if she were willing to do so and if arrangements could be made for this purpose. She has expressed her willingness to go, but, as stated in the reply given on 13th August to a Question by the hon. Member for the Combined English Universities (Mr. Harvey), it has become necessary to defer for the time being the completion of the arrangements for sending the wives of internees to Australia.
§ Mr. HallIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that after this man's wife was informed that he had been sent to Australia, she was then informed that he had been sent to Canada? She does not know where he is, whether he is in Canada or Australia; and she cannot take any steps to travel to meet him.
§ Sir J. AndersonI cannot understand that statement, because, as I have said, this man has been sent to Australia, and 944 his wife has expressed willingness to meet him there.
§ Sir J. AndersonPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will let me know by whom she was so informed.
§ 62. Mr. Woodsasked the Home Secretary whether he will apply the conditions of release, as set out in Command Paper 6217, to Italian internees, as well as to German and Austrian civilians?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir, so far as they are applicable.
§ 63. Mr. Woodsasked the Home Secretary whether he will include in the categories of persons eligible for release from internment students below 20 years of age, who have not completed their course of studies and who by completion of their studies will be equipped and able to contribute to the national cause?
§ Sir J. AndersonThis matter is being considered by the Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. WoodsAs there has been considerable delay and many cases have been held up, will the Home Secretary promise that the matter shall be expedited?
§ Sir J. AndersonI hope to be able to make a statement in the next few days.
§ 65. Mr. Ammonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Herman Podolsky, a category C alien, resident in this country for several years, has been interned, and had to leave his business in Camberwell, and that his two aged parents, refugees from Nazi persecution, who know no English, are placed in grave difficulties, and cannot get into touch with the internee; and whether this man, whose character can be vouched for by several Members of Parliament, may now be released, that he may be an asset instead of a liability to the nation?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have made careful inquiries and regret that I can find no ground for treating the case of this alien as coming within any of the existing categories in the White Paper.
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir.
§ Mr. G. StraussDoes the Home Secretary not think that this is an excellent ground for enlarging the categories?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have just said that I hope to be able to make a statement on that matter in the next few days.
§ 66. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Home Secretary whether he will extend No. 15 of the categories of persons eligible for release from internment, contained in Command Paper 6217, so as to include spinsters who have, or have had, a British born or naturalised brother serving in the British Navy, Army, or AirForce?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe proposed extension would not serve any useful purpose, since no woman placed in category C has been interned except on security grounds personal to herself, and in such a case the mere fact of having a brother serving in His Majesty's Forces would not be sufficient to justify her release
§ 67. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Home Secretary whether Italian internees are to be treated on similar lines to German and Austrian internees?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. The conditions in internment camps are the same; and, as I stated on 23rd July, the arrangements for exemptions and releases will extend—so far as applicable—to Italians.
§ Mr. DaviesWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there are Jewish refugees who have fled from Fascist persecution in Italy?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir, I have that in mind.
§ 68. Mr. Granvilleasked the Home Secretary the number of enemy aliens who have been interned from the staff of the Dorchester Hotel, London; and the numbers of Swiss, Italian and German nationality still employed by this establishment?
§ Sir J. AndersonI am informed that, among a staff of 487 persons, there are 26 Swiss, 10 Italians and one German. The German is a refugee, aged 16, whose father is serving in the Pioneer Corps; and of the 10 Italians one is a woman and the other nine have lived in this 946 country for 25 years or more. Two persons of enemy nationality who were formerly members of the staff have been interned.
§ Mr. GranvilleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Ministers of the Crown are in residence in this hotel? Can he say whether departmental documents and dispatch boxes are sent there; and does he think that that is desirable, in the interests of national security?
§ Sir J. AndersonI do not think that that arises out of the Question.
§ 70. Mr. Wilsonasked the Home Secretary why Roland Hulka, a Czech refugee, has been imprisoned in Strange-ways gaol, Manchester, since 8th June; and why, as a friendly alien, he has not been placed in an internment camp?
§ Sir J. AndersonThis man is detained in the interests of national security. Persons of non-enemy nationality have not as a rule been placed in internment camps with persons of enemy nationality, but I hope to arrange in due course for their transfer to a special camp.
§ Mr. WilsonWill the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that this man, having on his police registration the words "Friendly alien of Czech nationality," has been interned?
§ Sir J. AndersonAs I explained, he was interned on security grounds peculiar to himself.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerHas any specific charge been made against the man himself?
§ Sir J. AndersonNot necessarily a specific charge in the sense of a criminal charge, but there are specific grounds for the internment of this individual.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat is meant by "on security grounds"? Does it mean that internment is intended to protect the person concerned?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe hon. Gentleman will understand, I think, what is meant by "security grounds" if he will refer to the Regulations under which action was taken.
75. Dr. Morganasked the Home Secretary the present whereabouts of Frank Bascombe, who, in May this year, was arrested and detained in Brixton Prison; 947 whether he is still in prison or sent overseas or transferred to a camp; and what are the grounds of his detention?
§ Sir J. AndersonThis man is a native of Barbados, who came to this country for the first time after the outbreak of war, having lived in Germany for 14 years. He has been detained on security grounds and is at present in Stafford Prison.