§ 29. Sir C. Rawsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the case sent to him of a German aged under 61 years with two sons interned, who is allowed to remain at large unconditionally, and has received from the Unemployment Assistance Board an allowance of £3 1s. a week benefit, and who is regarded by the police and the Ministry of Labour as a dangerous person; and whether he will take steps to have him interned immediately?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)My hon. Friend has been misinformed. I have ascertained that the police do not regard the man as dangerous, and that he has not received any allowance from the Unemployment Assistance Board. He is a refugee from Nazi oppression who is being assisted by a voluntary committee. His two sons were interned not because there was anything against them but under the general directions for the internment of all male Germans and Austrians between the ages of 16 and 60 found in certain specified areas. The man is not, of course, at large unconditionally. He is subject, for example, to the provisions of the Aliens (Movement Restrictions) Order, 1940.
§ Sir C. RawsonMay I ask my hon. Friend whether he does not think that he has been misinformed? I derived my information not only from the police but from the aliens officer and from the Employment Exchange?
§ Mr. PeakeI do hope my hon. Friend will not persist in allegations of this sort. These statements have been thoroughly investigated, and the chief constable is perfectly satisfied with this man's bona fides. But I do hope that before the hon. Member puts a similar Question on the Order Paper he will at any rate give the Home Office a chance of making investigations.
§ Sir C. RawsonOn a point of personal explanation. A representative of the Employment Exchange came to see me specially about this case for an hour and a half on Saturday afternoon. I also got my information from the aliens officer, not from the chief constable, whose job it is. Naturally, I do not put down any Question without having taken proper precautions, and I rather resent the suggestion of the Under-Secretary.
§ Mr. SilvermanCan the hon. Gentleman say what right, if any, any police officer or aliens officer would have to give information of this kind to any private individual?
§ Mr. PeakeI cannot answer, of course, for an official of the Employment Exchange, who would come under the Ministry of Labour, but so far as the aliens officer—I take it that the hon. Member was referring to the police registration officer—is concerned, he certainly should not divulge any information to any member of the general public.
§ Sir C. RawsonMay I ask whether it is a fact that a good many—[Interruption]—I am entitled to justify myself.
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
§ Sir C. RawsonOn a point of Order. I ask for a definite denial. This man is now getting £2 8s. from—
§ Mr. Speakerrose—