HC Deb 18 September 1940 vol 365 cc157-9
42. Mr. Mander

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of authorising commandants of internment camps to give permission on their own responsibility for internees to keep visa appointments at the American and other consulates in London, to pay visits to relatives who are seriously ill, or to receive visits from business associates?

Mr. Peake

As regards visits to consulates by intending emigrants, a careful scheme has been worked out which will, I hope, avoid delays, and the operation of this scheme would be hindered rather than helped by leaving to each commandant a discretion to make his own arrangements. As regards visits to relatives who are ill, it is occasionally possible to allow a visit under escort if only a short journey is involved, but often these cases are met by releases under Category 18 of the White Paper. Visits to internees must be governed by a general policy, and for this purpose the system of requiring applications to be made to the Home Office must be maintained.

Mr. Mander

Is the Minister aware that a number of internees have lost their boats to the United States owing to the fact that commandants in the camps have no authority to permit them to go to visa appointments without referring to the Home Office? Is not that a matter which ought to be put right?

Mr. Peake

I regret to say that there was some delay and confusion in this matter in the early stages of general internment. We have now worked out a scheme with the co-operation of the Consulates and the Central Refugee Cornmittee at Bloomsbury House, which, I think, will work smoothly and expeditiously.

Mr. Mander

Is it still necessary for commandants to obtain permission from the Home Office in every case, even where it is obvious that appointments should be made?

Mr. Peake

I will communicate the details of the scheme to the hon. Member.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Does the Minister mean that the new scheme has been brought into force and that delays have already been eliminated?

Mr. Peake

I hope so.

Sir H. Williams

Does it cover the case of interned persons who desire to go to the United States before the end of this month and cannot do it while they are interned?

Mr. Peake

I really do not follow the question, which appears to me to relate to the question of releases on business grounds.

Sir H. Williams

Temporary releases.

Mr. Peake

That is not provided for except in the case of extreme hardship or illness.

Miss Rathbone

Is the Minister aware that the greatest feeling of bitterness is in the case of those who are going to the United States and who are kept in internment up to the last minute and cannot therefore wind up their affairs? Is the Minister not going to make some change to release these persons a few days before they leave the country?

Mr. Peake

A change has already been made in the procedure in that respect. Arrangements have been made for the release of internees as soon as their visas have been granted.

41. Major Milner (for Mr. Silverman)

asked the Home Secretary whether he will make arrangements to secure that when an alien is released upon medical grounds his interned wife shall be released simultaneously, so that invalids shall not be left without the requisite care and attention?

Mr. Peake

When it is decided to release a married man from internment it is already the practice to consider the question of releasing his wife if she also is interned.

Major Milner

Has an order been given that the wife shall be simultaneously released with the husband?

Mr. Peake

Certainly not. The women who are interned are all in either Category A or B. It is obvious that there must be special security grounds for maintaining the internment of the wife, but if the husband is released because he is an invalid or infirm, there is a strong prima facie case for the release of the wife so that she can look after him.

Miss Rathbone

May I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, which will give satisfaction to many internees and their wives, and ask whether that practice will happen automatically and that we need not make a special application for the release of a wife when the husband is released because of sickness?

Mr. Peake

I said in my original answer that it is already the practice to consider these cases without special application being made.

Major Milner

Is my hon. Friend aware that the practice is not in fact being carried out?

Back to