HC Deb 07 August 1940 vol 364 cc234-5W
Sir T. Moore

asked the Home Secretary how many Japanese aliens there are in this country; and what are their main occupations?

Mr. Peake

The number of Japanese registered with the police is 865, of whom 762 are males. To collect and tabulate information as to the present occupations of these persons would involve work which my right hon. Friend is reluctant to undertake at the present time.

Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Home Secretary by what authority untried persons or interned persons of British or other nationality have been deported from Great Britain overseas, in view of the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of ex park O'Brien and others, and the statute law on this subject?

Mr. Peake

There is power under the Royal Prerogative and the Aliens Acts to transfer persons of enemy alien or alien nationality overseas. My right hon. Friend has some reason to think that there may have been included by inadvertence in parties recently sent to the Dominions, some persons who possessed dual nationality, that is to say, who could claim both British and foreign nationality as well as some stateless persons. This matter is at present under investigation.