HC Deb 01 October 1942 vol 383 cc910-1
28. Colonel Arthur Evans

asked the Home Secretary whether he will exempt from war-time restrictions upon aliens those aliens who volunteered for His Majesty's Forces and who, after a period of service, have been discharged with good characters?

Mr. H. Morrison

I have given sympathetic consideration to this proposal. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that a large number of aliens joined the Forces while they were in internment. I believe the majority volunteered for service with the British Forces without reservations, and that they are trustworthy and loyal to the Allied cause. Since, however, I should not feel justified in assuming that there are no exceptions whatever, I propose the pro- cedure shall be that an exemption from the principal restrictions upon movements shall be granted in every case in which I am satisfied that there are no objections from the point of view of security. This means that any alien who has been honourably discharged from the Forces and who wishes to receive such an exemption should make application to the police of the district in which he resides. His application will be forwarded to the Home Office and my decision will be given in the light of the applicant's record.

Colonel Evans

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to note the keen sense of appreciation that will be felt by those alien ex-Service men who have given their best to the cause of the United Nations?