AUXILIARY MILITARY PIONEER CORPS.

HL Deb 21 August 1940 vol 117 cc357-60

6.22 p.m.

LORD DAVIES

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government if they can state whether any members of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps are now interned in the Huyton Camp; whether these men served with the Corps in France and are subject to military law and discipline; whether they are still in uniform; and if they can state the reasons for their internment.]

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE

My Lords, the answer to the first part of the noble Lord's question is that no member of the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps is or has been interned at Huyton or at any other camp; so the second, third, fourth and fifth parts of the question do not arise. I think what my noble friend has in mind is that eight persons describing themselves as members of this Corps were interned at Huyton. These individuals were among the refugees who arrived at Liverpool from France early in July. They were all of enemy nationality and were interned pending inquiries in spite of the fact that they were wearing British battle dress. It was found when inquiries were made that they had in fact been serving with the French Army as "Prestataires" or members of the French Foreign Labour Corps, and that they had acquired their British clothing by methods which remain obscure. Seven of these men have now been released and are serving with the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. The eighth declined the opportunity which was given him to enlist and is still interned, but he is no longer wearing British uniform.

LORD DAVIES

Arising out of the answer, is the noble Duke aware that these "Prestataires" who were employed by our military authorities in France had signed a contract in regard to their services and that they were under the command of British officers? Is it not, therefore, extraordinary that when these men arrived in this country they were not handed over to the War Office authorities to be dealt with, instead of being placed in a civilian internment camp? Can the noble Duke give us an assurance that all the "Prestataires" who were employed by the British military authorities in France and came to this country will have their cases looked into and dealt with at the earliest opportunity?

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE

I will certainly bring what the noble Lord has said to the attention of my right hon- ourable friend and his Department with a view to any cases that there are being looked into and investigated as soon as possible.

House adjourned at twenty-five minutes past six o'clock.