§ 8. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the case, of which he has been informed by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North, of the German prisoner of war in Britain who escaped to Ireland and there, under an assumed name, joined the Royal Air Force; and what precautions are now taken to prevent an enemy alien in such circumstances from joining the Army.
§ Mr. HeadI have considered this case. For obvious reasons I cannot specify the safeguards we employ, but I am satisfied that they are as watertight as we can make them.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not perfectly obvious that the precautions were not equal to the risk in this case, and how can the Secretary of State reassure the House and the country that the clever scheme which was revealed in a book called "The Other Side" is not being extensively used to bring enemy aliens as spies into the British Forces?
§ Mr. HeadI would remind the hon. and learned Gentleman that the case he has referred to was that of a man entering the Royal Air Force, not the Army, and that I can answer only for the Army. I have looked into our precautions, and I believe that, as far as we can go, they are watertight in keeping such men out.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the gravity of this matter, I hereby given notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment, either in this or the next Session.