§ 44. Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Home Secretary how many Italian Fascists were interned when Italy declared war on this country and how many have since been released; how many Italian anti-Fascists were interned at the same time and how many still remain in prison; whether Raffaelo Vineis, in particular, is still in prison; and whether he will examine the police report on this man in order to review the action of the London police?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonOn the outbreak of war with Italy the internment of some 4,200 Italians was affected. As there had been no such classification of the Italian population, as had been undertaken in the case of the Germans and Austrians, it is not possible to state how many of the persons interned were Fascists and how many anti-Fascists, but there was evidence that at least some 700 of them were or had been members of the Italian Fascist Party. Some 410 Italian internees have since been released. The case of Raffaelo Vineis, who is still interned, is being referred to the Advisory Committee set up in pursuance of Section C of the White Paper. I know of no police report relating to the question of his internment, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any complaint which he has in mind I shall be glad to make inquiries.
§ Mr. WedgwoodAm I to understand that these people are not interned by the police on their own knowledge of the facts? How many of those 400-odd who have been released were released because they were anti-Fascists, and how many because they were rich?
§ Mr. MorrisonI cannot give the numbers in the first place. In the second place, I can assure the House that these 1433 matters are dealt with on merit. If my right hon. Friend is suggesting that I, in dealing with these cases, am influenced by whether people are rich or not, it is a suggestion that I repudiate. On the other point, I cannot give the information.
§ Mr. WedgwoodCan the Home Secretary answer the Question on the Paper? How many of those Italians who have been released are anti-Fascists, and how many are Fascists? Can he give any other explanation of the release of the Fascists?
§ Mr. MorrisonThese cases are dealt with on their merits, and after the most careful consideration; but, in view of the fact that there was no precise classification of political opinions when the people were interned, I am not in a position to give that information.
§ Mr. WedgwoodI must have an answer to my Question. [Interruption.] On a point of Order. I have put down a Question about the release of these people, and am I not entitled to ask on what grounds they are released except on account of their views?
§ Mr. MorrisonMy right hon. Friend has the impression that people are interned or not interned according to their political opinions entirely. That is not so. The fundamental question is the security of the State. On that matter, political opinions may be a consideration, but they are not necessarily the determining factor which settles internment.
Miss WardThe right hon. Gentleman has put three Supplementary Questions, and I have not put one at all.