HC Deb 30 May 1940 vol 361 cc633-5
4. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether he is aware of the expressed desire of Austrian refugees in this country either to join the Pioneer Corps or to engage in group land-work; of the appeal by the Austria office to Austrian refugees in this country; and whether he will utilise as they desire the offer of these refugees to undertake some service on behalf of this country?

Mr. Assheton

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that any alien who is considered suitable is accepted for service in the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. In regard to civil employment, Austrian refugees are permitted to take any employment subject to security considerations, and provided there are no suitable British subjects available. Further steps to utilise the services of certain classes of aliens in this country are at present under consideration.

31. Mr. Graham White

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps forthwith to secure that refugees in scheduled areas who have been interned only on account of their residence in such areas, without having been afforded any opportunity to move into non-scheduled areas, shall be released from internment provided they move immediately into non-scheduled areas?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir John Anderson)

I had contemplated that the position of the male Germans and Austrians recently interned from the prohibited coastal zone would be reviewed as soon as circumstances permitted; but I regret that, having regard to the paramount considerations of national security, there can be no question at present of individual review except where release can be shown to be definitely and directly in the national interest or possibly in the case of youths undergoing training or education.

Mr. G. Strauss

Is it intended to keep interned people who happened just for that day, or for that particular week-end, to be in one of the prohibited areas, when they normally live in London?

Sir J. Anderson

For the time being it is physically impossible to give consideration to individual cases.

70. Captain Shaw

asked the Home Secretary how much public money has been spent in conformity with the announcement, on the 1st February, 1940, under which a limited State grant was to be given to help refugees in this country; how many of the refugees who were admitted on the understanding that they would emigrate to overseas are still in this country; and whether all those who undertook to be responsible for the support of refugees are fulfilling their obligations?

Sir J. Anderson

The sum of £207,000 has been granted to the Central Committee for Refugees as a contribution towards the expenditure incurred by the organisations which are raising funds from voluntary sources to maintain German and Austrian refugees in this country. Of the total number of about 55,000 Germans and Austrians who were classified as refugees by the tribunals, some 5,000 have emigrated since the beginning of this year. With negligible exceptions, all who undertook responsibility for these refugees have honourably fulfilled their obligations.

75. Mr. Roland Robinson

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to apprehend members of the fifth column who may attempt to enter the country in the guise of refugees?

Sir J. Anderson

It would not be in the public interest to give any detailed account of the measures taken, but I would refer to my reply of last Thursday to Questions on this subject, and I can assure my hon. Friend that all practicable measures are being taken for this purpose.

81. Sir Gifford Fox

asked the Home Secretary how the defection of the King of the Belgians with his Army in spite of the decision of the Belgian Government to continue, so far as lies in its power, the war against Germany affects Belgian refugees in this country?

Sir J. Anderson

All alien war refugees are subject to certain restrictions imposed by an Order made by me on the 21st May. The events referred to by my hon. Friend do not seem to me to affect the position of Belgian refugees to whom this country has given asylum.