HC Deb 03 February 1943 vol 386 cc863-4
3. Mrs. Cazalet Keir

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the 2,000 Jewish children in France who were refused visas for this country and were, in consequence, deported to Germany?

Mr. Eden

I have no knowledge of any Jewish children in France having been refused visas for this country, and having in consequence been deported to Germany. It is, in my opinion, much to be deplored that any story to this effect should be in circulation, as it has no basis in fact, and is likely to encourage misrepresentations as to this country's attitude towards the refugee problem.

The facts are that the Vichy authorities had declined to allow any Jewish children to leave France. They subsequently modified this decision to the extent of sanctioning exit permits for 500 of the children whom the United States authorities were willing to accept, but they would not agree to advantage being taken of thousands of other visas made available for the United Kingdom, the British Dominions, Palestine and other countries. It may be added that on the German entry into what had been Unoccupied France, the embarkation of even the 500 children for whom exit permits had been granted was stopped. I would emphasise that at the time at which application was made to His Majesty's Government for visas for refugee children to come to the United Kingdom from France there were in fact more visas available for other countries than there were children who were permitted to leave.

Miss Rathbone

Is it not probable that the rather loosely worded statement refers to the refusal of His Majesty's Government at that period when there was still an Unoccupied France to grant visas for children who had near relatives in this country able individually to guarantee their maintenance?

Mr. Eden

I am dealing with the report concerning these children, and I have pointed out that far more visas were available for several countries than there were children able to come out.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that Members were circulated to-day with an anti-Semitic leaflet? Will he draw the attention of the Home Secretary to the fact that it is directed against these children and their relatives in this country?