§ 28. Miss Eleanor Rathboneasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the misunderstandings which exist in the United States and elsewhere as to the character of aliens who have been temporarily interned in this country or in the Dominions, he will explain that such internment does not necessarily imply any stigma or disgrace, and that the subsequent release of the internee indicates that he has been subjected to a scrutiny which has satisfied His Majesty's Government that this can be done without prejudice to the national interest; and whether he will give an assurance that the same principle will be observed in the case of internees released for emigration?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI am obliged to my hon. Friend for giving me this opportunity of stating once more that it has always been, and still is, the considered view of His Majesty's Government that the general measures of internment which it was necessary to take in the interests of national security were of a precautionary character and were not intended to imply, and did not in fact imply, any reflection upon any loyal and friendly alien who was interned in pursuance of general directions. With regard to the second and third parts of the Question, I can assure my hon. Friend that in no case has the release of an internee been authorised, whether for emigration or for any other reason, unless His Majesty's Government had reached the conclusion, after investigation, that the alien might be at liberty in this country without prejudice to the interests of national security.
§ Miss RathboneWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he will, if possible, take immediate steps to ensure that his reply is made known in the United States of America and in Canada, so that the public there may not make any mistake about the character of persons who may emigrate there?
§ Mr. MorrisonNo doubt the Suppletary Question of the hon. Lady will have the effect of indicating "American papers, please copy."