HC Deb 22 October 1940 vol 365 cc927-9
25. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, in the women's internment camps on the Isle of Man, no internee is allowed to visit a friend living in another house and that many of the houses have no black-out in the bedroom, so that the women have to undress completely in the dark; and will he take steps to improve the conditions?

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)

Women interned in the Isle of Man are living under conditions of considerable freedom in the hotels and boarding houses amongst the ordinary residents. In the general interest of all parties it has been found desirable that internees should obtain the consent of the householder and of the Commandant before visiting other houses. Permission, I am informed, is freely granted in suitable cases. As regards the last part of the Question, I am informed that proper black-out provision has been made in the larger houses, but the occupiers of smaller houses have found difficulties in completing their arrangements. Steps are being taken to remedy the position.

26. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that although the time of delivery of letters posted by internees has improved, it still takes 10 to 12 days for a letter posted from the men's internment camps in the Isle of Man to reach the women's internment camps in the Isle of Man; and is he taking steps further to expedite the delivery of these letters?

Mr. Peake

Arrangements are being made for a direct camp-to-camp service in the Isle of Man which will avoid the delays involved in the correspondence passing through the censorship at Liverpool.

Mr. Strauss

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some time ago it took even longer and that a man who sent two letters to his wife in the Isle of Man sent one direct by air mail which went through Buenos Aires and arrived there first?

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that letters outside the Isle of Man still take a considerable time and that it is possible that the censorship is causing delay?

Mr. Peake

I have investigated this position, and I am quite sure that the censorship is not at the present time causing delays in the passage of correspondence. There may be individual cases where delay occurs when a letter contains matter which is thought to be of interest; but in the ordinary way that is not the case.

Sir Herbert Williams

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the possibility of postal delays? Is he aware that a letter took four days to travel half a mile to his office?

27. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that application for the release of Leopold Weiss, interned on the Isle of Man, was made by the medical officer of the Ramsey internment camp on grounds of ill-health in June, August and September; and why his release has not yet been authorised?

Mr. Peake

No medical certificate in this case reached the Home Office till 23rd September. The release of Mr. Weiss has now been authorised. In accordance with the present practice, the case of Mrs. Weiss has been considered, and her release is also being authorised.