22. Miss Rathboneasked the Home Secretary whether he can make a statement showing how the prospects of bringing refugees interned in Australia back to this country or sending them to the' United States of America when qualified for entry there are affected by the war in the Far East; and what are now the prospects of their being released for temporary employment within Australia in cases where they are considered on security grounds to be eligible for release?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI regret that I am not in a position to make any statement on either of the issues raised by my hon. Friend.
Miss RathboneIn view of the obvious difficulties in the way of bringing these people back from Australia in present circumstances, could not the right hon. Gentleman make a real effort to rouse the people of Australia to understand the amount of really valuable war effort that they are wasting in respect of the people who are interned and who are longing to take part in that war effort in order, in their own words, to "have a go" at Hitler?
§ Mr. MorrisonIt would be unwise for the House or for myself publicly to intervene in the immigration policy of the Commonwealth of Australia. It is a tricky subject, and the Commonwealth of Australia has strong views about it. I do not think that course would be wise, and the moment is inappropriate, in view of the difficulties with which Australia is faced, for me to attempt to rouse Australia on this subject. Australia is at the moment roused about something else.