HC Deb 21 January 1941 vol 368 cc41-2W
Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Home Secretary whether he can now make any statement about the establishment of mixed camps for interned aliens?

Mr. Peake

I have been anxious that arrangements shall be made for enabling husbands and wives who are interned as aliens of enemy nationality, to live together; and the enquiries which I have been conducting show that the best way of achieving this object would be to assign to such married couples accommodation in one of the two villages which are now being used for the accommodation of alien women. For some weeks, a Committee has been reviewing the cases of these alien women with a view to the release of those who are found to be reliable, and such progress has been made with this review and the consequential releases that it should prove possible in the near future to accommodate the remaining women in one of the two villages. As soon as this has been done, the other village will be used for the accommodation of husbands and wives whose releases cannot he authorised in present circumstances.

Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Home Secretary whether arrangements have now been made for the review and release of internees sent to Australia; and whether facilities now exist for wives to join their husbands there?

Mr. Peake

The policy expressed in the White Paper relating to the review of the cases of internees applies also to the internees sent to Australia, and my right hon. Friend has been in communication with the Australian authorities as to the best procedure for dealing with these cases. I am glad to be able to say that we have just received the agreement of the Australian authorities to send out at once a representative to Australia for the purpose of expediting the procedure for dealing with the cases of the internees who appear to be eligible for release under the White Paper, including those who desire to emigrate or to enlist in the Pioneer Corps. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative, but the possibilities of other arrangements for these married couples are being explored.

Mr. White

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make a statement with regard to the progress made during the Recess by the tribunals investigating the credentials of interned aliens?

Mr. Peake

These tribunals have been enlarged so as to enable then to sit in separate panels and other steps have been taken to enable the investigation of cases to proceed rapidly. My right hon. Friend is anxious that the work shall be accomplished as early as possible and is continuing to watch carefully the progress which is being made with a view to taking any further steps that may be practicable and desirable for expediting the procedure.

Mr. Wedgwood

asked the Home Secretary why Miss Samuel, at the age of 17, was placed in Category B by the tribunal although both her parents were Category C; and will he see that, in view of her age, she may be released from Port Erin at an [...]arly date in order to rejoin her parents?

Mr. H. Morrison

I presume my hon. Friend refers to the case of Miss Lies[...]lotte Samuel, who was born on the 27th November, 1921. There is no trace of any application made by her for release, but her case has been considered by the committee sitting in the Isle of Man and I am glad to be able to inform my hon. Friend that her release was authorised on the 8th January.