HC Deb 09 December 1943 vol 395 cc1126-7
39. Miss Rathbone

asked the Home Secretary how many aliens are under detention in internment camps or prisons on the ground not of suspected traffic or sympathy with the enemy but of offences against the law for which they previously suffered punishment in this or other countries and which are held to justify their deportation when deportation becomes possible; and how many of them have been in detention for over three years?

Mr. H. Morrison

Forty-five aliens who are known to have been convicted are detained under Article 12 (5A) of the Aliens Order on the grounds that a Deportation Order has been made but cannot be enforced, and that detention is necessary or expedient for the preservation of public order. Seventeen of these persons have been detained for more than three years.

Miss Rathbone

In view of the long period of detention that these men have already suffered in complete separation from their families and without opportunity of earning, is it not time that this policy was reconsidered?

Mr. Morrison

I can assure my hon. Friend that the cases are considered from time to time and are reviewed, but it is important that aliens and particularly refugees should understand that they must behave themselves or something will happen to them in that way. I can assure my hon. Friend that I review the cases from time to time with, I hope, good sense and without lack of sympathy.

Mr. Silverman

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what are the considerations of public order referred to in the answer?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir, not without notice.

40. Miss Rathbone

asked the Home Secretary how many aliens detained under Regulation 12 (5A) are, respectively, of Allied, neutral or enemy nationality or Stateless?

Mr. Morrison

My hon. Friend no doubt refers to Article 12 (5A) of the Aliens Order. The figures are as follow: 264 are of allied nationality, 27 of neutral nationality, 7 of enemy nationality, 9 are Stateless, and the nationality of 13 is uncertain.

Miss Rathbone

Will the right hon. Gentleman say to what State he intends to send these Stateless aliens after the war, so as to prevent them from being kept indefinitely in detention?

Mr. Morrison

I am afraid I should have to have notice of that Question.