HC Deb 10 October 1939 vol 352 cc201-2W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Home Secretary how many German citizens were interned in concentration camps on the outbreak of war, how many of these camps are there; and what arrangements exist for these prisoners to communicate with friends in their country; and will they be able to appeal for release to a tribunal?

Sir J. Anderson

As regards the first part of this question I would refer to the reply given to-day to the hon. and gallant Member for the Hitchin Division of Hertfordshire (Sir A. Wilson). Persons interned in these camps are at liberty to communicate with their friends but their letters are subject to censorship. As previously announced,0020it is open to civilians who have been interned to make representations to the Home Secretary, and he has arranged that except in cases where there appear to be no grounds for further inquiry, he will refer such representations to an advisory committee. Some such cases have already been examined by a committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Walter Monckton. In order to expedite the work it has now been arranged that the committee shall be divided into two panels, and my right hon. Friend is glad to be able to announce that Mr. Norman Birkett has agreed to act as chairman of one of the panels.