§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, whether the members of the International Brigade, Spanish Republicans and other political prisoners and refugees who had been kept in concentration camps or employed on forced labour by the Vichy authorities in North Africa have now been released; and whether it is intended to invite their assistance in the service of the United Nations.]
VISCOUNT CRANBORNEMy Lords, as you are aware, North Africa is still a zone of military operations, and all these matters are in the hands of the United States Commander-in-Chief. Your Lordships will have seen the statement recently made by President Roosevelt, upon which I cannot comment at this juncture.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, the noble Viscount surely appreciates that this is a joint military undertaking, and that British soldiers are fighting on North African soil. Cannot we have some assurance that His Majesty's Government are using their good offices to have these proved friends of ours released from a very trying imprisonment, and allowed to serve the cause for which they have suffered so much?
VISCOUNT CRANBORNEMy Lords, I can certainly tell the noble Lord that His Majesty's Government are naturally in consultation with the United States Government on all questions concerning North Africa, but operations are proceeding, and I do hope that the House will understand that at this delicate moment I do not want to add anything. This is an American sphere of operations, and that must be borne in mind.
§ LORD ADDISONMy Lords, I take it that the noble Viscount is well aware that this matter is the subject of widespread 199 misgivings and intense anxiety on behalf of our friends in North Africa who have been imprisoned. I am sure that His Majesty's Government will keep this very prominently in mind.
VISCOUNT CRANBORNEI can certainly give that assurance to the noble Lord, but I thought that the point made by Lord Addison was covered by my reply to Lord Strabolgi's supplementary question, when I said that His Majesty's Government were acting in consultation with the United States Government on all questions concerning North Africa.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I do not want to press my noble friend, but, if he is able to give any information later, will he be good enough to let me know, so that I can ask for information?
§ LORD WEDGWOODMy Lords, I saw in the newspapers yesterday that President Roosevelt's son had been appointed to command these very people. Has the noble Viscount no information on that subject? Of course, much that appears in the Press is false.
VISCOUNT CRANBORNEMy Lords, I am afraid that I have no information on that subject, but I hope that noble Lords who are interested in this question, which I know is one which does arouse great interest, will read again President Roosevelt's statement, which is certainly of significance.