INTERNEES.

HC Deb 19 June 1941 vol 372 cc803-7

39. Miss Eleanor Rathbone

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that of the aliens interned in Australia, 419 had been authorised for release before 31st May, but that the great majority of these, owing to lack of snipping facilities, are still interned and are subjected to the same rigorous treatment as other internees, being unable to speak to visitors except through wire-netting in the presence of armed soldiers, restricted in their correspondence, and forbidden to send cables; and will he approach the Australian authorities to secure that at least those internees, whose political reliability and good character is shown by the authorisation of their release, should be subjected to less harsh and humiliating treatment?

Mr. H. Morrison

In some 300 cases where internees intend to emigrate to the United States and other destinations outside the United Kingdom, release has been authorised conditional upon the in- ternees obtaining the necessary visas. In the other cases in which return to this country has been authorised with a view to consideration being given to release, difficulties have been caused by the shortage of shipping accommodation. Full use is, however, made for this purpose of any accommodation that may become available. As my hon. Friend is aware, the position of the Commonwealth Government in this matter is that they accepted these persons among others for internment in Australia on the basis that no question of their release in Australia would arise. I appreciate, however, the point of view expressed by my hon. Friend and will consider, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, the question of making an approach to the Commonwealth Government to see whether special treatment can be accorded to the cases to which she refers. I understand that the Australian Regulations now allow internees to send cables on private business or on matters affecting their release.

Miss Rathbone

May I give notice, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the situation, and unless further assurances can be given, that I may have to raise this matter on the Adjournment?

41. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any statement regarding the assault by Italian Fascists interned in the Isle of Man on another Italian internee on account of his pro-British sympathies; whether the culprits have been punished; and whether, in view of this evidence of the loyalty of the victim of the attack, he will reconsider the question of his release?

38. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Home Secretary what punishment has been inflicted on the Italians interned on the Isle of Man who beat up a pro-British fellow internee and assaulted his guard recently?

Mr. Morrison

I presume that my hon. Friends refer to the assault committed in the Palace Camp, Douglas, on 11th instant, on the internee, Antonio Castellini. Three of his fellow internees have, I am informed, been arrested by the Isle of Man police on charges relating to this assault. The case being sub judice, it would not be right for me to make any further statement at present.

Mr. Strauss

Will ray right hon. Friend be good enough to answer the latter part of my Question, whether in view of the evidence of the loyalty of the victim of the attacks, he will reconsider the question of his release?

Mr. Morrison

I will consider the question of a release on the merits of the case, but I cannot be influenced in my decision by the facts of the assault. I will, however, look into the case.

42. Major Vyvyan Adams

asked the Home Secretary whether, in the inquiry into the case of a friendly alien, Richard Weininger, now held as an internee, under Regulation 12 (5) A, the normal practice was followed by the tribunal of informing him what was known to his discredit?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir.

Major Adams

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this man is wholly ignorant of the charges made against him?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think that is true. The position was made quite clear in the course of the proceedings, and that statement would not be justified.

Major Adams

Is the Minister aware that he is entirely misinformed, and that this man was examined when he was in a condition of extremely bad health?

Mr. Morrison

I have taken great care about this case, and I have decided that detention should be continued. I think I am right in the knowledge of all the facts available. The proceedings were very carefully conducted, and Mr. Weininger had ample opportunity to state his case fully to the committee.

Major Adams

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that he will not reconsider the case?

Mr. Morrison

I have already reconsidered it on the report of the Advisory Commitee. I have come: to a certain conclusion, and I see no reason to vary that conclusion at the moment.

Sir Herbert Williams

Is the Minister aware that there are very substantial reasons for believing that Mr. Weininger has never had a statement in plain terms of the grounds on which he has been interned?

Mr. Morrison

When aliens, as distinct from British subjects, are interned, details are not furnished in the same sense as for British subjects. I think that is right. In the course of these proceedings it was perfectly clear that the apprehensions of the authorities were justified. It must be understood that the proceedings under this Order must be different from the proceedings in a court of law.

Major Adams

In view of the nature of the Reply, I beg to give notice that at the earliest possible moment I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

43. Miss Rathbone

asked the Home Secretary whether he will give, respectively, the number of aliens interned in Australia who have been authorised for release but still interned, actually released, and not yet authorised for release?

Mr. Morrison

Out of about 2,500 aliens interned in Australia, there are 310 whose release has been conditionally authorised for emigration to the United States of America and other destinations, and 133 whose return to this country has been sanctioned with a view to consideration of their release. Of this.latter category, 62 are now on their way.

Miss Rathbone

Is the Minister aware that some of these people who were authorised for release six months ago are still being kept under these extremely humiliating and restrictive conditions which are applied to those who have not been authorised for release?

Mr. Morrison

The term "authorised for release" is a misleading term which I had better not allow to stand. In the case of those coming back to this country, they are not authorised for release, but sent back because there is a prima facie case for release. In the case of the United States they require a visa, but the basic problem is shipping facilities, which my hon. Friend will realise are bound to be difficult at this time.

Miss Rathbone

Will the Minister consider cases that I will submit to him of men recommended for release who have been classified under Category 19, which is an extremely strict Category and which is only recommended for those who have been permanently, over a number of years, opposed to the Nazi system? In-spite of that fact these men, and one in particular, have been recommended for release under that category six months ago, but are still behind barbed wire and not allowed to interview anyone except in the presence of armed witnesses?

Mr. Morrison

I will consider that, but the Australian Government took these men on the basis that they would not be released in the Commonwealth. I am in a difficulty with regard to shipping, but I can assure my hon. Friend that I am anxious to get these people over as quickly as possible.

Mr. Shinwell

Where does my right hon. Friend get all this information about shipping difficulties? Can we have some information?