HC Deb 21 July 1943 vol 391 cc866-7
5. Mr. John Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many political prisoners are still detained in North Africa?

Mr. Eden

The Joint Commission for Political Prisoners and Refugees reported on 23rd June that all persons interned in concentration camps or incorporated into work companies had by then been released. The Committee added that there remained about 200 foreign refugees in prison whose offences consisted chiefly of infractions of discipline in internment camps or political demonstrations involving violence. The Commissioner of Justice had given them an assurance that an amnesty would be granted to these prisoners as soon as their cases had been examined from the point of view of military security.

Mr. Dugdale

What is the position now of so-called enemy aliens? Are they taken into our Forces, or do they simply remain without any sort of supervision?

Mr. Eden

I should be obliged if the hon. Member would nut that Question down. I am not sure that I know.