§ 34. Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the internment of all persons who were members of the British Union of Fascists at the outbreak of the war?
§ Sir J. AndersonMy information does not suggest that security considerations demand the internment of every individual who was a member of the British Union at the outbreak of war. I have already ordered the detention of those who were active as organisers in furthering the objects of the union, and if any persons attempt to carry on the work of the union in contravention of the recent Order under the Defence Regulations, I shall consider whether, in addition to any penalty imposed by the courts in respect of such an offence, the detention of the offender is necessary on security grounds.
§ Mr. WedgwoodHas the right hon. Gentleman the number of the members of the British Union of Fascists and their names, and are the police acquainted with the people concerned; and, further, may I ask why it is that Fascists are all left at liberty and all anti-Fascists, if they happen to be aliens, are interned?
§ Sir J. AndersonMy right hon. Friend is surely mistaken in suggesting that all Fascists have been left at liberty and all anti-Fascists have been interned. A very large number of Fascists have been interned. As regards his first Supplementary Question, the police have had a nominal list of members, but how far that list represented members who were 387 actually interested in the work of the union at the outbreak of the war I cannot be certain.
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxWill the right hon. Gentleman pay some attention to the Communist party?
§ 39. Mr. Thurtleasked the Home Secretary what protests he has received from organisations against the arrests of Fascists and the banning of the Fascist organisation, on the ground that these actions are infringements of civil liberties and involve the oppression of minority opinion; and what action he has taken in the matter?
§ Sir J. AndersonI have not received any such protests.