§ 24. Mr. G. Straussasked the Home Secretary whether there is any limitation on the number of letters which can be sent by, or received by, interned enemy aliens?
§ Sir J. AndersonAll civilian internees are allowed to send two letters a week. As regards the reception of letters, there is no fixed limit, though there may have been difficulties and delays in handling the large volume of letters and parcels addressed to internees.
§ Mr. SilvermanCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is true that there are many instances in which relatives have heard nothing from them for as long as a fortnight and do not know where they are?
§ Sir J. AndersonI believe there have been instances of delay, and I have been doing my best to see that they are reduced.
§ 31. Mr. Woodburnasked the Home Secretary to what extent the conditions under which persons are detained for reasons of security in prisons resemble those of ordinary untried prisoners or those of ordinary convicts; and whether some arrangement could safely be made to reduce their hours of solitary confinement or grant more frequent access to library books, and also to improve the hygienic facilities and generally bring their confinement more into accordance with internment conditions?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe regulations governing the detention of such persons in prisons are based—with some modifications—on the rules relating to the treatment of persons awaiting trial. I am anxious that, so far as security considerations permit, their treatment shall be as little as possible oppressive, but at the present time, owing to the large numbers detained and the limited staffs available for their custody, it is not possible to allow longer hours of association, or to arrange for other modifications of the routine which is necessary for custodial purposes. The question whether any improved arrangements can be made is engaging my attention, and I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestions.
§ Mr. MaxtonCould a copy of those rules be made available for the information of Members of the House, and will the right hon. Gentleman tell us where he gets statutory authority to make an entirely new set of prison regulations?
§ Sir J. AndersonI think the hon. Member will find that express provision is made in Regulation 18B for the issue of rules governing the treatment of these 1319 persons in their places of custody. I was under the impression that the rules had been made available to Members. I will look into that, and, if it has not been done, I will see that it is done.
Mr. J. J. DavidsonWill the right hon. Gentleman consider issuing information as to the treatment of democrats in Fascist countries?
§ Mr. GoldieIs the treatment accorded to these persons that accorded to offenders in the first division?
§ Sir J. AndersonNo, Sir. It is based on the treatment given to persons awaiting trial, with some modifications.
§ 40. Mr. G. Straussasked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to intern German refugees from Nazi oppression who have done or are doing work of national importance by exposing in newspapers or books the Nazi menace and suggesting means by which it can best be met, and those who, given an opportunity, are willing and anxious to do any work, military or otherwise, which may contribute towards the defeat of the Nazis?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe decision taken on military considerations that the large numbers of Germans and Austrians in this country ought not in present circumstances to be left at liberty necessarily involved the internment of many who, as far as I know, are anxious to assist this country. Arrangements have been made to exempt from internment certain categories of persons whose work is of special value to the war effort.
§ Mr. StraussDoes the right hon. Gentleman include as valuable to the war effort the work of such people as are mentioned in my Question?
§ Sir J. AndersonI think that must be a matter of judgment, but I have always been prepared to consider any representations with regard to the form in which particular aliens could render useful service.
Mr. Graham WhiteMay I ask the might hon. Gentleman whether those categories would include distinguished scientists and operators whose names and records are included on the Central Register under the aliens section?
§ Sir J. AndersonAny persons answering that description have been released from internment on the ground of the useful service which they are in a position to render.
43. Mr. Whiteasked the Home Secretary to what extent the chief constables have exercised the discretion allowed them in respect of the exemption from internment of Class C aliens?
§ Sir J. AndersonThe discretion given to chief constables is not a discretion to exempt enemy aliens from internment, but a discretion to intern individuals falling within the exempted categories if as regards a particular individual the police have special information showing that his immediate internment is necessary on security grounds.
Mr. WhiteDoes the right hon. Gentleman expect that at any time he will have any statistical record or indication of the extent to which this has been done?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. The police have been asked to report specially the action taken with regard to persons covered by the exceptions referred to.
§ Mr. SilvermanIs the discretion of the chief constable in such cases subject to any review by the right hon. Gentleman's Department?
§ Sir J. AndersonYes, Sir. I have said that chief constables have been instructed to report the manner in which they have exercised the discretion which is entrusted to them by the Regulation.
§ Mr. SorensenIs that retrospective?
§ Sir J. AndersonMy hon. Friend explained in the Debate yesterday that this particular step applicable to aliens who have been classified in Category C was initiated only a few days ago. As regards persons who were arrested under instructions given on, I think, 11th May, as my hon. Friend explained, the Department is taking the initiative in arranging for the consideration of individual cases which would have come within the exceptions had they been dealt with under the instructions of a few days ago.
§ 48. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of making arrangements for one Minister to be responsible for everything affecting the internment of aliens, in view of the overlapping and additional respon- 1321 sibility now existing between the War Office and the Home Office on this subject?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir I. Albery).
§ Mr. ManderWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether, if it is not possible to appoint a new Minister in charge of the whole arrangements, the Home Secretary should be given charge of all these camps, taking over the camps for male internees from the War Office?
§ Mr. AttleeThe whole matter is now under close consideration.
§ Sir I. AlberyDid not the statements made show that the War Office is not now concerned, except as regards custody of male aliens, and would it not, therefore, be better if the entire administration of friendly aliens were in the hands of the Home Office?