§ 61. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that anti-Nazi women internees are anxious to serve this country in the national emergency; and whether he will apply some scheme to them on the lines of the pioneer corps for men internees?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)The only women interned, apart from those who were individually selected for internment on security grounds, are those placed by the Tribunals and Regional Advisory Committees in Category B, as being persons whom it was not thought right to exempt from the special restrictions applicable to enemy aliens. As regards any women who have been erroneously placed in this category, the proper procedure is to review their cases with a view to their release from internment: and arrangements have been made for such a review. The question whether the services of any German or Austrian women could advantageously be utilised by the Service Departments is one which affects not only any women who may be released from internment but also those who have not been interned. I am bringing my hon. Friend's suggestion to the notice of the Service Ministers.
Miss RathboneIs my hon. Friend aware that even when these women are released from internment, or have never been interned, they find great difficulty in getting employment? Their services could be of value to the country if those who were considered reliable had some kind of organisation which could reassure prospective employers.
§ Mr. SilvermanWill the hon. Gentleman say when it will be considered?
§ 62. Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that there are many British-born wives left in this country of anti-Nazi friendly aliens interned in Canada and Australia; and will he consider taking steps to bring these husbands and wives together either in this country or in the Dominions?
§ Mr. PeakePrecise information is not at present available as to the number of internees in Canada who have British-born wives in this country; as regards Australia, the number is eight. Consideration is being given to arrangements for bringing such internees back to this country, but the question whether, if this is done, the husband and wife will be together, depends upon the husband being released, or the practicability of their joint internment in a mixed camp.
§ 65. Sir Patrick Hannonasked the Home Secretary whether he contemplates, in consultation with the Minister of Labour, any scheme for the employment of alien internees; and whether, as many such people interned in the Isle of Man are in idleness, he will take steps to employ them, under effective supervision, on some kind of useful work?
§ Mr. PeakeMy Department is in touch with the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Supply in this matter, and every possible effort is being made to find occupation for as many internees as possible, but there are many difficulties to be overcome, and at present it does not appear practicable to devise any scheme which would enable a large number to be employed together under supervision in some industrial occupation. My hon. Friend will be aware that the White Paper provides various categories of release for purposes of employment, including service in the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps, and a very considerable number of internees have been so released.
§ Sir P. HannonIs it not a fact that in the Isle of Man at this moment a large number of these internees are living in idleness, at the expense of the taxpayers of this country, without rendering any service to the State? Cannot something be done?
§ Mr. PeakeThere are a great many difficulties to be overcome in providing large-scale employment within the confines of an internment camp.
§ Sir P. HannonBut is serious consideration being given to this question at the moment? When can a statement be made?
§ Sir Henry Morris-JonesAre not many of our own people idle?