§ Mr.KINGasked the Home Secretary(1) whether deserters from the French or Belgian Armies, if traced to this country, have been handed over to the Governments of their respective nationalities; and, if so, under what statutory or other authority has such action been taken; and (2) whether Russian and Belgian subjects living in this country have been compelled to present themselves for military service to the Governments of their respective nations; and, if so, under what Statute or authority has such compulsion been made?
Mr. SAMUELAs regards Belgian subjects I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board on the 10th November last to the hon. Member for the Shipley Division, in which he explained the steps taken to assist the Belgian authorities in carrying out the Belgian decree with regard to military service. When similar assistance has been asked for by other Allied Governments His Majesty's Government have rendered it according to the varying circumstances and so far as their powers allow. The power to deport conferred by Article 12 of the Aliens Restriction Order can be used for this purpose if, after consideration of 2283W all the circumstances of the case the interests of this country and its Allies appear to demand it. The Russian Government has not, in fact, sought any such assistance.