HC Deb 19 September 1940 vol 365 cc184-7
31. Mr. Mander

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider introducing a new category for the release of internees of persons who came to this country at an early age, have lived here the greater part of their lives, know no foreign language, and are of friendly record and association?

Sir J. Anderson

As regards Italians, it is the policy not to intern those with 20 years' residence against whom nothing unfavourable is known. As regards Germans and Austrians, the question whether long residence could properly be treated as a ground for release has been carefully considered, and I have been in consultation with the Advisory Committee on the subject; but, as my hon. Friend will recognise, it is in many cases more difficult to feel confidence in those with long residence than in those who came here comparatively recently as refugees. A general policy of releasing those with long residence against whom nothing is known could not be justified; but there are individual cases in which long residence can properly be treated as one of the factors to be taken into account when application is made for release under Category 18 on grounds of special hardship.

Mr. Mender

In the case of Italians who are interned and have been here more than 20 years, do I understand that release can take place?

Sir J. Anderson

Italians who have been resident here for more than 20 years have been interned only if in the particular cases there was some specific reason for that course.

Mr. G. Strauss

What body or organisation will consider the case of Italians who have been here for 20 years and apparently have had no association with Fascist organisations?

Sir J. Anderson

I thought that it was known that I had set up a special tribunal under the chairmanship of Sir Percy Loraine. I have arranged with the tribunal to sit in divisions if necessary, in order to cover the ground as rapidly as possible

Miss Rathbone

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large group of people whom he doubtless included among Germans and Austrians, who came in early childhood from Galician Poland at the time when it was part of Austria? These are peculiarly hard cases, and I have a list of 50 in London who have been resident in this country for 20 years.

Sir J. Anderson

It is difficult for me to deal with a particular question of that kind adequately in a reply. The position is that the Asquith Committee, in which, I am sure, hon. Members have complete confidence, have a perfectly free hand to review the whole position. I have specially brought to the notice of that committee this very class of people who are long residents, and I will give the closest and most sympathetic consideration to any recommendation which the committee make.

Mr. Edmund Harvey

Will consideration be given to the case of Stateless persons who were in early life resident in Bohemia and are neither Austrian, German nor Czech, but who are interned?

Sir J. Anderson

Where those persons are interned it has been in every case after consideration of the facts, but if my hon. Frind will let me know of the particular category he has in mind, I will look into it.

33. Major Milner

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that notification was received on 29th June by the mother of Werner Jablonski, residing in Leeds, that orders had been given for his release and why, notwithstanding repeated representations by the Member for South-East Leeds, such release has not taken place; and what is the present address of the youth in question and, if he has been evacuated overseas, on what date and on what grounds?

Sir J. Anderson

Authority for this boy's release was given to the War Office on 29th June, but I regret that the instructions did not get through in time to prevent his embarkation for Canada, to which Dominion he sailed on 4th July. Arrangements are being made for his return to this country if he is willing to return.

Major Milner

Having regard to the fact that this matter has been represented to the right hon. Gentleman since the beginning of July, why has it taken until the middle of September, when I put down this Question, before any action was taken? Does it not show that the whole administration of the Home Office in this matter is in chaos?

Sir J. Anderson

It shows nothing of the kind. The Home Office took the responsibility for this matter on 5th August, and it is well known, for no secret has been made of the fact, that the records in regard to those who were sent to Canada in rather a hurry were in a state of some confusion. That has no bearing at all on Home Office administration.

Major Milner

Has it not a bearing on War Office administration? One Department or another must be at fault.

Sir J. Anderson

I do not answer for other Departments.

34. Major Milner

asked the Home Secretary how many aliens who have broadcast to enemy countries in favour of the allied cause have been interned; in respect of how many have representations for release been received from the British Broadcasting Corporation, and how many have been granted; and on what grounds men who have thus demonstrated their anti-Nazi views and friendly attitude towards the Allied cause continue interned?

Sir J. Anderson

So far as I have been able to ascertain, representations have been received from the British Broadcasting Corporation in respect of two such members of their regular staff, and both of them have been released.

Major Milner

Have not representations been made in respect of other members of the staff, perhaps not members of the permanent staff, but men who have broadcast in the Allied interest to Germany and who are now in internment and for whose release the B.B.C. have pressed directly or indirectly in this country's interest? If the right hon. Gentleman does not know of such cases, will he look into them, if I give him names?

Sir J. Anderson

I will certainly have the matter looked into, but I have given the House all the information in my possession at the moment.

43. Mr. Wedgwood

asked the Home Secretary whether any present or prospective category for release can meet the case of David Shapeero, aged 50, resident at Leicester since the age of 10, an optician there, now interned in the Isle of Man?

Sir J. Anderson

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my right hon. Friend as soon as possible.