HC Deb 26 April 1917 vol 92 cc2611-2W
Major HUNT

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that Alfred Reinhardt is an unnaturalised German, and either head of or intimately connected with the Schimmelpfeng organisation in Great Britain, which organisation has been denounced in France as a commercial and military spy agency, he can say why Alfred Reinhardt has not been interned?

Mr. BRACE

Alfred Reinhardt was recommended for exemption from internment by the Advisory Committee. He had resided in this country since a child, is married to a British wife and has a son serving in the British Army; and the inquiries which were made at the time when the case was under consideration showed no reason for departing from the Committee's recommendation. New facts have, however, now arisen and my right hon. Friend proposes to consider the case further. In the meantime Mr. Reinhardt has resigned his position in connection with Bradstreet's and has been succeeded by a British subject.

Mr. SNOWDEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War why Willie Ranspach, of 43, Didsbury Road, Stockport, single, aged 23, has now been called up for military service seeing that he was born in Germany and is the son of unnaturalised German parents; and, in view of the illegality of this calling-up notice, will he order it to be cancelled at once?

Mr. BRACE

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Ranspach is an alien enemy exempted from internment. His case has been under consideration in connection with the general review of such exemptions, which, as the Home Secretary stated in the Debate on 14th February, is being undertaken with the object of utilising in the national interest the services of those who are left at liberty. As this man has been in this country since he was two years old, he has been offered, and is, I understand, availing himself of the opportunity of joining a labour unit.