HC Deb 01 July 1941 vol 372 cc1184-5
6. Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the Secretary of State for War what action has been taken against those responsible for the treatment of interness aboard s.s. "Ettrick" in July, 1940?

Captain Margesson

If my hon. Friend refers to incidents which are said to have occurred during the voyage, I have inquired into these and, as I told my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 25th March, I am satisfied that further action is unnecessary. If he refers to incidents which may have taken place after disembarkation, as my hon. Friend realises this is a matter for the Canadian authorities, and I am not in a position to add anything to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on 27th May.

Mr. Hall

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman recall an answer he gave me some time ago when he promised to have the matter looked into? Will he expedite that inquiry?

Captain Margesson

I think I said in that answer that I was expecting some further report from the Dominion of Canada. I understand that there will be some report coming over in the near future.

Mr. Hall

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman try to expedite the results of that inquiry? This happened a long time ago, and it is time something was done.

Captain Margesson

The hon. Member will realise that this is a matter for the Canadian Government and not for the Government at home.