HC Deb 15 August 1940 vol 364 cc986-7W
Major Milner

asked the Home Secretary whether the names of all German-born refugees in this country, whether now of German nationality or not, have been communicated to the Nazi authorities through Switzerland and on whose authority; and with what object was the communication made?

Sir J. Anderson

My hon. Friend is, I think, under a misapprehension. Under the International Convention of 1929 there is a scheme for the interchange of information about prisoners of war through the Prisoners of War Information Bureau at Geneva, and the question has arisen whether on humanitarian grounds this scheme should be extended to some civilians—including, for example, captured merchant seamen—so that information about them may be available to their relatives in Germany. There is, of course, no intention of communicating information about persons who do not wish such information to be sent to Germany.

Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Home Secretary whether he will ask the Advisory Committee on the Internment of Aliens to consider whether all alien refugees who can show a record of active opposition to Fascism should be added to the list of categories for exemption from internment?

Sir J. Anderson

I have already been in consultation with the Advisory Committee on this point, and I hope to be able to announce very shortly the arrangements which are to be made for dealing with this type of case.

Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give an undertaking that the names of refugees who have been recognised as victims of Nazi oppression and have been deported overseas will not be transmitted in any way, or under any circumstances, to the German Government, despite the fact that the Dominions Government are treating such persons as coming under the Convention dealing with prisoners of war?

Sir J. Anderson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for South-East Leeds (Major Milner). The only names transmitted to the German Government will be those of persons who have no objection to this being done.