§ Mr. Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of state for War whether he is aware that a number of refugees, now in Australia, had to surrender their funds to the commandant of Kempton internment camp when they were first interned in May last; that they have applied for transfer of their funds to the Commonwealth Bank of 42W Australia in May; and will he see that their money, if their claims are substantially correct, is sent to Australia without further delay, so as to relieve the most urgent needs?
§ Captain Margesson:Of the sterling belonging to the internees sent to Kempton Park in May, 1940, over 97 per cent. has been remitted to Australia. The remainder has not yet been remitted, because there is doubt about the accuracy of the claims or because the claimants may be sent back to this country. A request was made in December last by some of these internees that the sterling proceeds of the conversion of certain holdings should be transferred to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The funds in question will be handed over to the agents when the necessary formalities have been completed.